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Abstract
Seafood processing industry including companies and households accounts for 35% of Mekong delta’s total agricultural output. The former mainly concentrates on exports; their processing activities are required and supervised to meet many
criteria of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility by foreign importers. Meanwhile, the latter’s production is for the local market; its processing activities mainly rely on experience and surrounding environment.
This study focuses on sustainability of households’ seafood processing activities with three pillars including economic, social and environmental ones. The research sample of 300 households was collected in 6 provinces of Mekong delta
including Ben Tre, Ca Mau, Tien Giang, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh, Bac Lieu in July 2014. Research findings show that from the economic perspective, physical facilities are outdated; revenues and profits are not stable and household have
more difficulties in collecting materials, obtaining loans for their business and selling their products. In addition, from social perspective, the average income for seasonal workers is at low levels with 60% paid from 50 - 80 thousands VND
per day and 70% of surveyed households have members and seasonal workers suffering from syndromes of work-related diseases including sinusitis, rheumatism, dermatology, eye itching. Moreover, the environment surrounding seafood processing households is seriously polluted with 71% of households discharging untreated wastewater into nearby seas, rivers and canals and disposing solid wastes around their houses. Therefore, 80% of households fail to control and kill insects such as flies and bluebottles in their processing area, especially up to 50% failing to know the origins of anti-insect chemistries used. Based on these findings, this paper delivers implications and recommendations for the local government and households to improve the sustainability of households’ seafood processing activities in Mekong delta.
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