Status of aquatic animal health activities in Lao PDR

Abstract

Lao PDR s National Strategy for Fisheries stipulates the expected outcomes, work plan, and framework aimed at attaining the implementation of current plans and long-term projects up to 2020. Government estimates percent per capita consumption of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products at 15 kg per annum, i.e. accounting for about 40% of the animal protein intake, and targets to increase its per capita availability of fish to 23 kg by the year 2020. Lao PDR does not have areas for shrimp culture but researches on the migration pattern and reproductive biology of indigenous shrimp species found in the rivers have been undertaken. Inspection of documents for import, transit and export of live aquatic animals at international checkpoints before entry into Lao PDR has been likewise implemented. With regard to importation, permission of import-export (final destination and origin country), certificate of pedigree, and certificate of sanitary quality are being required. In addition, disease-free status (especially those notifiable to the World Organization of Animal Health [OIE]) of imported shrimps and other aquatic organisms is mandatory at international checkpoints before entry into Lao PDR. For shipments suspected to harbor diseases, samples are sent for analysis at the Namxouang Aquaculture Development Center (NADC), Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, Lao PDR.