Workshop “Electric Catch Documentation And Traceability System For Seafood Products”.

Workshop " Electric Catch Documentation And Traceability System (eCDTs) For Seafood Products" organized by Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries and US embassy. It took place on December 16-17, 2020 in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa.

In the framework of the cooperation, the Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries in coordination with the US Embassy in Hanoi organized a "Electric Catch Documentation And Traceability System For Seafood Products" workshop and develop an action plan for building and enhancing eCDTs system. building a pilot program of traceability of seafood products at designated ports. The seminar is organized to create a forum to meet and exchange ideas among competent authorities, related organizations, associations, businesses, service providers who interested in the issue of electronic traceability for seafood products in Vietnam.

In the beginning, the Deputy Director of Fisheries Department - Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung informed about the importance of implementing a pilot program on a traceability system required by export markets. Furthermore, for the Vietnamese government, this is essential and action-oriented for strengthening the Vietnamese fisheries management system in the context of innovation and adhering to the stricter requirements from domestic and international markets.

The representative of the US embassy also shared the views of the US Government and provided more updates on requirements from the US seafood market. Not only quality but also transparency; and combat IUU. Therefore, the implementation of an electronic traceability system for seafood products is essential and the US is ready to help the Vietnamese improvement process to create advantages for Vietnam (when Vietnam is always one of the top seafood suppliers in the US).

Also at the seminar,  the Directorate of Fisheries, Vietnam Tuna Association, Representative from SEAFDEC project on eCDT, MCD also introduced their electronic traceability programs of projects and presented in detail how to use the system for stakeholder consultation. Through presentations that were in-depth discussions of stakeholders it was possible to find out the advantages and disadvantages of each platform. During the discussion, platforms received constructive suggestions to improve and address shortcomings’ software and systems.

At the seminar, VINATUNA also introduced Vietnam elogbook and GDST software. Elogbook is built to bring convenience and improve reliability to fishermen's fishing logbook reporting. With the simplified interface and manipulation, the platform is appreciated for its usability, suitable for fishermen. In addition, GDST software has initially met the requirements for business activities "Business to Business" for the export activities of the tuna businesses and international buyers in traceability. from each raw material batch to final product. Two softwares have been designed and piloted in operating ships and production facilities in 3 provinces of Khanh Hoa, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen. Initially, we answered the questions of fishing area and necessary information required by the export market.

Through the workshop, the program also agreed on a few important points in which:

+ The Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries is in the process of developing a Vietnamese standard for the nation's electronic catch documentation and traceability systems.

+ The platforms need to comply with the laws of Vietnam to ensure the legality of the platforms. There should be coordination and support between units. Bringing greater impact to Vietnamese fisheries.

+ It is necessary to have coordination of the parties in which there are 6 main actors (Directorate of Fisheries, Sub-Department of Fisheries, Management Board of fishing ports, representative offices, export processing companies and fishing vessels).

+ Need to bring convenience and optimization to users. Especially about the security of platforms to users and competent authorities.

The efforts of all parties will help Vietnam's fisheries to improve management activities, accelerate the process of removing EU yellow cards for Vietnam and meet the standards required by markets. . It is hoped that with the upcoming coordination of the Directorate of Fisheries of Vietnam and the US Embassy in Vietnam, there will be momentum to promote and strengthen the application of the electronic traceability system for Vietnamese seafood products in the future.