A one-day workshop was held at Nha Trang University in late November 2025 to introduce the objectives and activities of the new round of project funding, and to encourage reflection and dialogue on outcomes of the “Improving Farmed Fish Welfare in Asia” project and priorities and strategies for future research in Vietnam. Particular attention was also given to how the network could help foster practical actions to support improved farmed fish welfare along Vietnamese aquaculture value chains.
Event highlights video
The meeting was formally opened by Professor Dr Le Minh Hoang from the Institute of Aquaculture at Nha Trang University as hosts for the meeting, followed by an opportunity for participants to introduce themselves. In particular, short introductions were given by Fresh Studio and Scale Welfare, two organisations that also have funding for work on fish welfare in Vietnam. Dr Simao Zacarias and Professor Dave Little then brought participants up to date with previous project activities and finding and outline plans for the future. At the end of this session, feedback from the workshop participants was sought through discussion and the use of the Mentimeter online survey tool.
Following a coffee break there was a mix of in-person, video and online presentations aimed at giving participants insights into initiatives elsewhere, and updates on activities and perspectives within Vietnam. These included:
Maria Castanheira - Aquaculture Stewardship Council (Online)
Philip Boddington - Australis, Vietnam
Than Thi Hien - MCD/Health Bridge Foundation
Douglas Waley - Expert on European Aquatic Animal Welfare Legislation
Professor Dave Little then gave a further presentation on the concept of “OneWelfare” and how this provides both conceptual and practial links between issues which sometimes seem in opposition, such as providing welfare for fish vs benefit for people.
The afternoon session involved breaking into groups to discuss pathways to support fish welfare in Vietnamese aquaculture and associated value chains with plenary feedback and further discussion around action plans for the formulation of research proposals.
Further information about the workshop, copies of presentation slides and video links is available on the Workshop Page.