Vietnam’s aquatic production and seafood catch picked up in the firsthalf of 2014 despite complicated developments in the East Sea, theDirectorate of Fisheries said at a conference on June 30.

Over the period, the total output topped 2.86 million tonnes, up 4.4percent from a year earlier with a 3.4 percent increase in farming yieldand a 5.5 percent rise in fishing operation, statistics show.

The directorate reported that good weather plus stable fuel and seafood prices facilitated fishing activities.

However, the sector’s performance has been affected by tensions in theEast Sea, triggered by China’s illegal placement of the oil rig HaiyangShiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf,as well as its escort vessels’ intimidation and damage to Vietnamesefishermen’s properties.

The agency has worked withauthorities of littoral provinces to update fishermen on developments inthe waters, legal regulations, and measures to avoid risks at sea, itsaid.

At the same time, by strictly following thefarming schedule, diseases on grown aquatic products were curbed and theproductivity was kept stable, reports added.

Forthe rest of the year, the directorate plans to step up the supervisionover the observance of shrimp and tra fish farming regulations, diseaseprevention, and the quality of fry and animal feed.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam said theagency should push up trade promotion in key and new markets whileworking harder on negotiations on bilateral cooperation in order toremove trade barriers to drive exports.

He alsoasked it to continue to closely follow the East Sea situation, providefishermen with safety guide, and examine ports and wharves for vesselsto take shelter as the storm season is approaching./.