This report is one of a series documenting EJF’s international investigations into the social, economic and environmental impacts resulting from shrimp production and consumption.

Shrimp trawling is one of the most wasteful, destructive and inequitable ways to exploit the oceans. The report reveals how shrimp trawling is threatening ecological integrity and food security around the world. It presents the facts about shrimp trawling and highlights why immediate action is needed to protect marine ecosystems and the coastal populations whose lives are intimately connected to them.

This report describes the development, current status and future targets of shrimp aquaculture in the Socialist Republic Of Vietnam (henceforth Vietnam). We highlight the social and environmental importance of mangrove and wetland habitats and demonstrate the decline in such ecosystems due to shrimp aquaculture. We characterise the economics of shrimp aquaculture, both nationally and at the local level, and highlight the industry’s key problems. Finally we describe a range of alternatives and solutions, and present recommendations to the Government of Vietnam, the international donor community, non-governmental organisations and the governments of shrimp-importing countries.

Describes our trip to Vietnam to learn more about the Vietnamese shrimp farming industry, as part of our campaign for sustainable shrimp production.