Hanoi Times – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have recommended that functional agencies take measures to control the import and development of strange water dwelling animals in order to avoid negative impacts o­n the environment.

According to its recent survey, over the past 50 years, more than 40 species of strange aquatic animals have been imported into Vietnam for food processing and ornament, mainly in the northern and southern deltas.

The development of these creatures is threatening native species although it has helped raise local breeders’ earnings, Dr. Le Thiet Binh, a member of the Department of Aquatic Resource Exploitation and Protection’s research team, said.

The traditional aquaculture is directly affected by acclimatised creatures, in some cases to the extent that it may be put at risk for being replaced by the breeding of imported species, he said. The acclimatised creatures have been degrading Vietnam’s bio-diversity and destroying the habitat and food supplies for the local fauna populations.

Scientists also recommended that together with the strict control of imported aquatic animals, the domestication of native creatures be encouraged.