(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The shrimp–mangrove farming model, in which shrimp are farmed under mangrove canopies, has been expanding strongly in coastal provinces of the Mekong Delta such as Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, An Giang, Can Tho, and Vinh Long. This is a sustainable aquaculture model that helps protect forests, adapt to climate change, and provide stable livelihoods for local communities.
Mangrove ecosystems play a crucial role in natural water filtration, reducing disease risks, and saving environmental treatment costs. In addition to shrimp, farmers also earn income from crabs, fish, and blood cockles. However, the model still faces challenges such as water pollution from decaying mangrove leaves, lack of suitable seedstock, and inconsistent farming techniques.
To improve the model’s effectiveness, government agencies and international organizations such as IUCN have supported technical training, seed supply, and farmer workshops. Many farming households have obtained international certifications such as ASC, BAP, and EU Organic, with nearly 22,000 hectares of shrimp–mangrove farms certified in Ca Mau.
Enterprises such as MINH PHU GROUP IMPORT EXPORT TRADING COMPANY LIMITED play an important role in linking value chains, developing internationally certified farming zones, enhancing product value, and meeting environmental and traceability requirements.
The shrimp–mangrove farming model is considered a strategic direction for sustainable aquaculture development in Vietnam, contributing to building the brand of organic shrimp in international markets.