Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui

The Philippines said Wednesday it had begun deporting 122 Vietnamese fishermen arrested nearly four months ago for illegally fishing in local waters, but huge fines against them were waived.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is considering a ban on Vietnamese catfish products after finding samples with excess levels of the antibiotic enrofloxacin, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors said citing sources from the Vietnam Trade Commission in Canada.

Vietnam, the source of 99.9 percent of tra and basa fish exports, expects to reduce outbound shipments of the fish by a hefty 45 percent to some 360,000 tonnes next year from this year's 640,000 tonnes, said the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (Vasep).

Vietnamese catfish exporters are concerned that European sales may be hurt after a guide by World Wide Fund for Nature advised consumers not to buy the fish.

Nine Vietnamese fishermen who were detained by China last month and released earlier this week were due to return home in their boat by late Tuesday but still have not made it through stormy seas, officials said Thursday.

Hanoi - Ten fishermen have been rescued off the coast of central Vietnam after spending 50 hours in the water, authorities said Thursday.

HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnam has demanded that China investigate "brutal" treatment of Vietnamese fishermen who sought shelter during a typhoon in disputed South China Sea islands, where officials allege they were beaten and robbed by Chinese personnel.

Vietnam demanded the "immediate and unconditional" release of 12 fishermen being held by China as well as compensation, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday.

Hanoi - Vietnam is urging China to cancel its fishing ban in parts of the South China Sea in effect until August 1, Vietnamese media reported Monday.