International workshop "Prevention and recycling of waste fishing gear in Vietnamese waters - REVFIN"

        The workshop was organized within the framework of the project "Prevention, reduction and Recycling of waste fishing gear in Vietnamese waters" (REVFIN) by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation, Nuclear Security and Protection Consumers of the Federal Republic of Germany. The project is implemented by Osfalia School (Germany) in collaboration with Nha Trang University and 25 partners in Vietnam. The delegation of Nha Trang University attending the conference included Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Quoc Hung - Vice-Rector of the University and representatives of relevant units.

       At the conference, delegates focused on analyzing and assessing the current status of fishing gear waste in Vietnamese waters through survey results conducted by project members in 2023 in some typical coastal areas. Representatives of Vietnam include Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Khanh Hoa and Kien Giang. At the same time, identify and evaluate methods of recycling aquatic waste to reduce ocean pollution. On that basis, necessary plans and solutions are proposed for the project to continue to be promoted in the coming time and achieve the set goals, actively contributing to protecting Vietnam's marine environment in general and of Quang Ninh province in particular.

        The REVFIN project focuses on solving the problem of discarded fishing nets in Vietnam's waters to reduce the amount of unused, lost, or discarded fishing nets, and raise awareness to avoid the loss of fishing gear for businesses/fishermen and fisheries management agencies as well as Vietnamese society in general. The project aims to reduce environmental impact and create a market for recycled raw materials from these sources to create a closed value chain. At member universities of the REVFIN project (including Nha Trang University; Ha Long University; and Kien Giang University), activities to improve capacity and knowledge for lecturers and students in the field of waste reduction and recycling will be emphasized. This will help strengthen the ability to design modern, environmentally oriented curricula; attract interest, and create a place where businesses from Vietnam's plastic industry of about 2,000 can receive help to develop recycled materials and new products. This opportunity will enhance the innovation capacity of Vietnamese businesses to reduce waste in the sea. Along with that, courses integrated with science communication within the project framework will also be an opportunity for universities to fulfill their mission of spreading knowledge and innovation to society.