An Giang: Developing climate-resilient marine aquaculture

An Giang has significant potential for marine farming. The province possesses abundant coastal and island water surface area, with environmental conditions suitable for various aquatic species. Marine aquaculture can be developed year-round, creating livelihoods while contributing to ecosystem protection, mangrove preservation, wave reduction, and erosion prevention.

According to the leadership of the An Giang Department of Agriculture and Environment, in addition to restructuring the fisheries sector by reducing the number of fishing vessels, reorganizing the exploitation industry appropriately, ensuring fishermen’s livelihoods, and restoring aquatic resources, An Giang is promoting the development of marine aquaculture adapted to the increasingly severe impacts of climate change.

According to statistics from the province’s agricultural sector, by the end of 2024 An Giang had 4,291 marine-fish cages, with an annual harvest output of 4,241 tons. In 2025 alone, the An Giang Agricultural Extension Center is implementing 20 marine-fish culture sites using HDPE cages, with a total area of 3,712 m². At the same time, it is coordinating with local authorities to organize technical training sessions and encourage cage-fish farmers to adopt value-chain linkages, switch to industrial feed instead of trash fish, reduce waste, and contribute to environmental protection.

Mr. Mai Văn Hiệp, from An Phú Hamlet, Kiên Hải Special Zone, has been supported by the An Giang Agricultural Extension Center over the past three years to implement a model of farming pearl grouper in cages made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) under a national agricultural extension project. Since adopting the model, his fish have grown well, achieving a survival rate of 91.9%.

“HDPE cages can withstand rough waves, are more durable, and can be used for offshore farming. Recently, I’ve been using industrial feed for the fish, so diseases are reduced and survival rates are high. With this new model, my annual profits have improved,” Mr. Hiệp shared.

An Giang aims to develop marine aquaculture into a large-scale industrial production sector by 2030, with about 14,000 cages and an output of more than 105,000 tons. The province focuses on transitioning from small-scale operations to modern technology, aligned with green and circular economy principles and climate-change adaptation.

Currently, five enterprises have been approved by the provincial People’s Committee to implement large-scale marine aquaculture projects covering nearly 3,000 hectares. Among these, three projects—by Phu Quoc Seafood Farming and Import–Export Co., Ltd.; Australis Vietnam Seafood Co., Ltd.; and Mavin Nam Du Co., Ltd.—are investing in the development of high-tech marine aquaculture.

Additionally, the province prioritizes models that apply scientific and technological advances in new materials, high-strength cages and nets, auxiliary equipment, and solar-powered lighting on rafts. It also organizes training on disease prevention and treatment, disease-handling measures, and outbreak control; strengthens management and monitoring of farming zones linked with water-environment monitoring; and effectively carries out licensing, marine-area allocation, and issuance of identification codes for marine aquaculture facilities in accordance with the law.