Lang Son tightens control following invasion of red-claw crayfish

Red-claw crayfish is not among the list of aquaculture species eligible for trade in Vietnam.

Crayfish are sold at a price between VND250,000 and VND500,000 per kilo depending on their size.  The import of the product from China has recently captured great attention from local residents.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the fish are considered to be an invasive, alien animal in Vietnam, which could do damage to the country’s agricultural industry.

Chu Nguyen Thach, director of the Animal Quarantine Branch of Lang Son, said that in order to protect the environment and avoid the negative impact of agricultural production, relevant agencies in Lang Son have strengthened their inspection and prevention of trading and importing of crayfish through border areas.

Management agencies at border gates have been ordered to tighten their control in a bid to prevent the further infiltration of the species into the local market and to co-ordinate efforts with the provincial market management department in order to monitor sites which offer the fish for sell online.

A representative from Lang Son’s Market Management Department noted that relevant agencies have encountered difficulties in controlling the species as the majority of transactions take place online.