(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of December 25, at Toan Thinh Conference Center (Soc Trang City), the Soc Trang Fisheries Sub-department, under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang, held a conference to review the 2024 aquaculture activities and outline the brackish water shrimp farming plan for 2025. The event was attended by Ms. Quach Thi Thanh Binh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Soc Trang.
At the conference, leaders of the Soc Trang Fisheries Sub-department reported that the total aquaculture area in the province for 2024 reached 74,000 hectares, meeting 100% of the planned target. This included 50,820 hectares of brackish water shrimp farming, 9,180 hectares of freshwater and brackish fish farming, and 4,000 hectares of other aquatic products. The estimated aquaculture output reached 310,000 tons, also meeting 100% of the plan, with brackish water shrimp contributing 212,000 tons, freshwater fish over 94,400 tons, and other aquatic products 3,550 tons. Raw whiteleg shrimp (50 pieces/kg) was priced at VND 123,000 per kilogram, an increase of VND 15,000 compared to the same period last year. Shrimp sized 20-30 pieces/kg saw a rise of VND 31,000 per kilogram, while shrimp sized 40-80 pieces/kg increased by VND 17,800 per kilogram compared to last year.
The Fisheries Sub-department implemented 20 shrimp farming models that meet VietGAP standards, organized four specialized training courses for aquaculture farmers on identifying and addressing food safety hazards, and conducted four on-site workshops to expand VietGAP models. Additionally, multiple inspections were carried out to control impurities in commercial shrimp and ensure the safety of aquaculture facilities. Guidance was provided to 22 feed production facilities and environmental treatment product manufacturers, while 31 facilities were inspected for compliance. Over 4,000 water samples were analyzed for pH, temperature, salinity, alkalinity, transparency, and oxygen levels, providing timely recommendations to shrimp farmers on optimal water intake times.
In her remarks, Ms. Quach Thi Thanh Binh outlined several measures to ensure a successful aquaculture season in 2025. The provincial agriculture sector will strengthen inspections of shrimp farming areas and utilize provincial and local budget resources, along with sponsored projects, to invest in dredging canals and building irrigation works to support sustainable shrimp farming planning. Strategic river and canal areas will be reviewed and incorporated into the monitoring system to serve aquaculture regions. Efforts will also focus on enhancing the capacity of personnel involved in environmental monitoring and cooperatives by promoting information technology applications for environmental and disease updates on digital platforms. Regular inspections will be organized to enforce compliance with water management and wastewater discharge regulations, particularly in high-tech shrimp farming zones, to prevent unregulated and environmentally harmful practices...