MARINE FISHING INDUSTRY IN THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM: PRESENT STATUS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

In 1994, the Mekong Delta had 14,337 fishing boats. They exploited 404,500 tons of products from 220,000 k.m 2 of the Economic Exclusive Zone, that covers respectively 44% and 60% of national and regional fisheries' production. Traditionally developed since the beginning of the twentieth century, the industry has undergone different stages by political changes. In recent years, dramatic changes arose from the motorisation and the introduction of high productive new fishing gears (trawl net, gill net and encircling net) for off-shore fishing to prevent the exploitation in the coastal areas. Meanwhile, Ionglines, stow nets, scrape gears are also important. Private sector covers large proportion in the total production output. Cost structure and profitability depend on fishing types, scales and sectors. The study also presents reconunendations for further development of the industry. Particular emphasis is placed on gaining knowledge of resource management and fishing technology.