How is Basa fish farmed in Vietnam?

Basa is imported from south-east Asia, where it is predominantly farmed along Vietnam’s Mekong River in ponds, tanks and cages close to or in the Mekong. Farms discharge wastewater to the river, which likely cause localised pollution. Basa is an omnivorous species of fish that requires some fish protein in its diet.

Is Basa farmed in Vietnam safe to eat?

Fish imported from Vietnam — like basa — has been found to breach standards for drug residues and to contain potentially pathogenic bacteria. Always ensure that basa is properly cooked before eating it to minimize your risk of food poisoning.

Why is Basa banned?

Why is Basa fish banned? Basa (Pegasus bocourti), which is largely grown in Mekong delta, is found to be infested with unsafe drugs, many of which are carcinogenic in nature, say reports.

Why is Basa bad?

Basa is a particular variety of catfish that can survive extreme conditions, unlike other varieties. Because of its natural tendency of survival, and the ability to absorb nutrients even from contaminated waters, it poses a greater risk of hosting toxins in its body.

Where is basa fish grown?

Native to Vietnam, Basa fish is found abundantly in the waters of Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers, which pervade through several nations in Southeast Asia. Due to its low cost of breeding, harvesting, packaging and scalability, it is being widely exported to various countries all over the world, in the last decade.

Where is basa fish caught?

Basa are native to the Mekong River Delta in Vietnam and Chao Phraya basin. Basa is now farmed in large quantities. It is the most popular fish in Vietnam and consumed in increasing quantities around the world. The body of a Basa fish is stout and heavy.

Where is basa fish found?

Native to Vietnam, Basa fish is found abundantly in the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers and is extensively exported worldwide. Over the years, Basa fish has gained popularity amongst people who are cautious about their diet.

Where did basa fish originate?

Basa are native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins in Mainland Southeast Asia. These fish are important food fish with an international market.

Is basa fish halal?

Allaah has said that anything that lives in water, whether freshwater or saltwater or any salinity in between, is all halal. Basa live in water. It is considered seafood. All seafood is halal.

Why is basa fish so cheap?

It is a type of catfish and its Latin name is Pangasius bocourti. Basa is said to be inexpensive because it grows fast, it’s easily harvested and it’s processed in factories near the farm. Being able to get the fish to market without the expense of maintaining a fleet of fishing boats helps keep the price low.

Why is basa cheap?

Why visit a Vietnamese basa fish farm?

Our visit to a Vietnamese basa fish farm began with a sampan ride along the waterways of the Mekong Delta. The grey river water was like an old man gasping for air in his last days of life. Its sole purpose seemed to be to provide a repository for all the detritus created by the thousands of people living along the riverbanks.

When did basa fish come to the US?

Consumers in The United States were introduced to basa fish in 1994 after the trade embargo with Vietnam was finally lifted. It was not a popular choice at first, but now it is a great competition for domestic catfish farmers.

What is the environmental impact of Basa?

Basa is mainly imported from Vietnam, where it is farmed in the Mekong River. Farm waste discharged into the Mekong River has minor and localised pollution impacts in comparison to the impacts of other human activities along the river. Basa are omnivorous fish that are fed a proportion of wild caught fish in their diets.

Is basa fish a high-risk food source?

However, it’s been suggested that the way basa fish is farmed and the environment in which it lives may make this fish a higher-risk food. The ponds that catfish like basa are farmed in are susceptible to contamination.