On March 25, 2026, in Can Tho City, the Center for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Environment (DAE) of Can Tho City, organized a Multi-stakeholder Dialogue on Improving the Welfare of Farmed Shrimp and Fish.

The event aimed to raise awareness and strengthen stakeholders’ understanding—including farmers, businesses, government agencies, and organizations—of the needs, opportunities, and pathways for improving the welfare of farmed shrimp and fish in the Mekong Delta. It also provided a platform for participants to exchange information, share experiences, and foster linkages and collaboration, thereby contributing to value chain development and more market-oriented production.

Photo # 1: Ms. Quach Thi Thanh Binh – Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment (DAE) of Can Tho City – delivering the opening remarks

The program was attended by 30 delegates representing management agencies, including the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho City, the Sub-Department of Fisheries and Surveillance of Can Tho, and other related units; as well as the Sub-Department of Fisheries of Ca Mau. Participants also included business representatives such as Minh Phu Social Enterprise and Dai Ngu Nghiep Co., Ltd.; farmers; the College of Aquaculture at Can Tho University; and experts in aquaculture and animal welfare.

Photo # 2: Overview of the dialogue participants

At the dialogue, speakers shared approaches, needs, and opportunities related to the welfare of farmed shrimp and fish. They also introduced a monitoring and evaluation framework for welfare indicators and presented MCD’s technical support initiatives to improve shrimp welfare in Ca Mau and fish welfare in Can Tho. The discussions highlighted that aquatic animal welfare is no longer optional, but has become an essential component of sustainable aquaculture and market access.

Photo #3: Mr. Ngo The Anh – Head of Aquaculture Division, Department of Fisheries and Surveillance – sharing his views

Representing MCD, Ms. Than Thi Hien, Vice Director, presented an overview of the initiative, “Technical Support to Enhance the Welfare of Farmed Shrimp and Fish to Improve Production Efficiency and Promote Sustainable Aquaculture Development in the Mekong Delta”. Initial results indicate positive progress in research and improvements in aquaculture practices, with a focus on environmental conditions, animal health, and nutrition.

Photo #4: Ms. Than Thi Hien – Vice Director of MCD – presenting the initiative

The overarching theme of the dialogue was to promote improved welfare for aquatic animals in order to enhance production efficiency and product quality; strengthen linkages between farmers and businesses in practical implementation; and propose concrete actions to support the adoption of welfare standards for shrimp and fish in the Mekong Delta.

At the dialogue, Mr. Luong Van Son, a representative of Hoa Hiep Cooperative, shared that applying shrimp welfare criteria not only ensures animal health but also improves product quality. He also expressed a desire to expand these practices among cooperative members, with the aim of improving production and achieving ASC certification.

Photo #5: Mr. Luong Van Son – Representative of Hoa Hiep Cooperative, Ca Mau province – sharing his experience

Through the discussion sessions, several key directions were identified, including integrating animal welfare into aquaculture value chains; identifying priority areas for improving welfare in both shrimp and fish farming systems; and promoting opportunities for collaboration and coordinated action in the future.