Do not raise whiteleg shrimp in freshwater areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has recently sent a document to the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities regarding the management of whiteleg shrimp farming in freshwater areas.

Accordingly, in some southern provinces, people have been arbitrarily raising whiteleg shrimp in freshwater areas, rice paddies, and outside of approved planned farming zones.

Meanwhile, based on research results both domestically and internationally, and lessons learned from Thailand's experience in raising whiteleg shrimp in freshwater, scientists, experts, managers, and the public have all recognized the following shortcomings: significant impacts on the environment and biodiversity, particularly the impact on land subsidence in the area, salinization of the farming zone, groundwater pollution, and long-term effects on rice and other crops in the surrounding area; lower productivity, yield, and quality of commercial whiteleg shrimp raised in freshwater compared to those raised in brackish water...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests that the Chairpersons of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities direct relevant departments, agencies, and People's Committees at all levels in their localities to strictly implement the following tasks:

It is not advisable to raise brackish water shrimp in freshwater areas and to strictly adhere to the Plan for the Development of Brackish Water Shrimp Farming until 2020, with a vision to 2030, approved by the Prime Minister, and the plans or regulations of the localities;

Strengthen inspection, supervision, and handling of violations in whiteleg shrimp farming, preventing people from arbitrarily farming whiteleg shrimp in freshwater areas; for localities that have previously farmed whiteleg shrimp in freshwater areas, require farmers to strictly adhere to environmental protection commitments, not to restock after harvesting, and not to allow the creation of new farming areas;

Public awareness campaigns should be conducted to inform people about the immediate and long-term impacts of farming whiteleg shrimp in freshwater areas.

According to Nongnghiepvn