Red-claw crayfish is a harmful species and is banned from sale in Vietnam.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong has just sent an urgent dispatch to provinces, cities, the General Department of Customs, and Market Management requesting to strengthen control of red-claw crayfish (crayfish) in Vietnam.

Accordingly, recently red-claw shrimp has been used in Vietnam as food in many localities. This item is currently widely sold on social networks, priced at 220,000 - 350,000 VND/kg.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, this is a harmful, omnivorous aquatic species that crawls underground, likes to dig burrows, is nocturnal, and has high resistance and adaptability. This shrimp species not only damages rice, kills native shrimp, but can also be a source of disease for other organisms.

Red-claw crayfish (crayfish) are sold quite a lot on social networks, but in fact, red-claw crayfish is not on the list of aquatic species allowed for business in Vietnam.

Faced with the situation of red crayfish being imported and sold widely on the market, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development affirmed that red crayfish is not on the list of aquatic species permitted for trade in Vietnam and is identified as an invasive alien species. Trading and consuming this species is a violation of regulations on biodiversity and fisheries.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Tran Dinh Luan - Deputy Director General of the Directorate of Fisheries said that to avoid impacts on agricultural production and environmental protection, Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong requested provinces, cities and relevant agencies to strengthen inspection and strictly handle violations according to the law.

"When red-claw crayfish are discovered spreading into the environment, measures must be taken to isolate and destroy the crayfish species according to the law. Like the case at the end of 2016 in Dong Thap, we must surround, destroy and punish them, spray disinfectants, and ensure that none of them are still alive in the outside environment," said Mr. Luan.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also requires dissemination of information about the harmful effects of red crayfish on the environment and agricultural production, and to prevent the development of this species in the natural environment.