The Government has decided to earmark 576 billion VND to help protect rare and precious aquatic animals from extinction from now until 2020.

The project received the go ahead from the Prime Minister under a decision signed by Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai on May 2.

The blueprint looks to protect rare and precious underwater animals from extinction risks and develop genes of rare species with the participation of the whole community, contributing to protection of biodiversity and sustainable development for the fisheries industry.

During the 2008-10 period, the plan will focus on collecting data about rare and precious underwater animals that are deemed at extinction to map out appropriate protection models for each species.

Several non-native fish species brought into Vietnam in recent years could displace native species and damage ecosystems unless prompt action is taken, scientists have warned.

Fishermen on the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City have recently been catching large amounts of suckermouth catfish (Hypostonuns lecostomus) – an imported fish that used to be bred as pets.

Nguyen Van Chuc, a resident in the city’s Binh Thanh District, said he could catch up to 100 of the fish daily.

“The fish have been reproducing rapidly and I can now catch them everywhere,” said Chuc.

Nguyen Tuan, an expert from the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 2, said suckermouth catfish eat indiscriminately and reproduce rapidly.

The Workshop on “Guidelines for Aquaculture Certification” was hosted by the Government of China in Beijing, P.R. China from 6 to 8 May 2008. The workshop, conducted as a joint initiative of FAO, NACA, the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences and Department for Certification and Accreditation Administration of China, brought together 65 participants, including several experts and stakeholders in aquaculture from China, and regional/international experts from FAO, NACA and SEAFDEC, from government agencies, private business, and experts involved in certification schemes and food safety.

More than VND850 billion will be invested in a project to develop and apply biotechnology in the fisheries sector from now until 2020.

The project, presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at a conference in Hanoi on April 21, aims to create a breakthrough in aquaculture development and post-harvest technology.

The project will help ensure sustainable development of the fisheries sector and improve the competitive edge of Vietnam’s aquatic products.

The project will focus on preserving and developing gene sources alongside developing new varieties of aquatic products and support research on feed, disease prevention and treatment, and the management of aquaculture environments.

At least 22,000 people have been killed in the Myanmar cyclone and the toll is likely to rise as officials make contact with the worst-hit areas. 40,000 more are believed to be missing.

Foreign Minister Nyan Win said on state television that 10,000 people had died in just one town, Bogalay, as he gave the first detailed account of what is emerging as the worst cyclone to hit Asia since 1991, when 143,000 people were killed in Bangladesh.

"In Irrawaddy Division the death toll amounts to more than 10,000," he said in a state television broadcast, in which he also said the government welcomed outside assistance from aid agencies who want to help with the recovery.

Update: The latest information suggests that the above figures may be vast underestimates, and that a massive number of people have also been rendered homeless. Ed.

Disaster relief appeals:

• CARE
• World Vision
• Save the Children
• Merlin
• International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• Unicef