(VOV) – The Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC) on Monday held a meeting in Da Nang city to discuss fisheries management and aquaculture in the region.

The event attracted almost 100 representatives from 21 APFIC member countries and UN organizations. The participants will discuss the current situation and the development of seafood and aquaculture production in Asia-Pacific. It will also work out ways of adapting and dealing with climate change to improve the livelihoods of local fishermen. Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vu Van Tam said: "Vietnam is a responsible member of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission. Over the past few years, we have made a great contribution to fisheries and aquaculture related issues across the region and the world. Through this meeting, we will learn a lot from other member countries, especially in preventing diseases in aquaculture".

The Asia-Pacific region’s seafood and aquaculture industry produced nearly 49 million tons last year accounting for half of global output, with aquaculture alone making up 89 percent. Simon Funge, the General Secretary of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission underlined that with increasing risks of climate change and natural disasters, the Commission’s members need to cooperate and work together to reduce any risk as much as possible.