GENERAL INFORMATION

Vietnam, with a coastline of over 3,260 kilometers (km) and more than 3,000 islands and islets scattered offshore, plus up to 2,860 rivers and estuaries, has been geographically endowed with ideal conditions for the thriving fishery sector which currently exists.

Great potential of fishery sector in Vietnam is embedded in water bodies of 1.700.000 ha in which 811.700 ha freshwater, 635.400 ha brackish waters and 125.700 ha coves and 300.000 - 400.000 ha wetland areas might be employed for aquaculture development.

The Mekong River Delta in the south and the Red River Delta in the north have been used for wild catch fishing as well as extensive fish farming.

Shrimp and pangasius mostly farmed in the Mekong River Delta, in which, shrimp farmes located in coastal provinces such as Tra Vinh, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Ben Tre..

Pangasius farming is developing in many provinces in Mekong River Delta such as Can Tho, Vinh Long, Tien Giang, An Giang, Dong Thap, Soc Trang, Hau Giang, Tra Vinh....

Production in the fishery sector grew at an average rate of 7.05% from 1991 to 2000, and 10% from 2001 to now. Vietnamese fisheries production increased steadily YoY. Aquaculture output tent to sharply rise while capture ouput tend to slow down. In 2023, aquaculture occupied 59%, fishing output occupied 41%. From 2018-2023, ratio of fishing output has decreased from 46% to 41% of total fishery production in Vietnam. In 2023, total aquaculture area was 5.408 million tons, up 3.5%; total fishing output was 3.861 million tons, equal to 2022.

An aquaculture breakthrough

(vasep.com.vn) Aquaculture is one of the strengths of Khanh Hoa. However, after more than 20 years of development, it is now facing challenges of pollution and unstable output. Provincial agricultural leaders are making efforts to restructure this sector.

Targeting demanding markets

Khanh Hoa Province is making a detailed plan for species in bays, marshes and inland areas in order to improve quality and look for new markets.

After shrimp harvest failures, ponds in Dong Ha Villiage, Ninh Hai Ward, Ninh Hoa town were abandoned. This place then is used for grape seaweed for exports. Mr. Dang Ngoc Thoai, owner of a grape seaweed farm said: "We have specific plans for targeted market, we focus on exports to Japan, England and France”.

“It is the matter of sales. The product should be good enough to serve many markets, especially demanding ones such as Japan, Korea or the USA. The combination of quality and food safety is a must.”, said Mr Le Nhut, a manager of a exporting company.

Value chain combined with environmental protection

Since 2014, the province adopted the program called "Aquaculture with value chain", using VietGap standards in Ninh Phu and Ninh Loc Ninh commune in Ninh Hoa town. This project covers the area of 84 hectares, with the participation of hundreds of households with processors and distributors. This is believed to create high value chain while improving the surrounding environment.

To apply VietGap extensively, areas for specified species are located in Khanh Hoa province: shrimps are grown in Ninh Hoa and Van Ninh, lobsters are grown in cages in four main areas namely Van Ninh, Ninh Hoa, Nha Trang and Cam Ranh, marine fishes are grown in Cam Ranh and Van Ninh, and mollusks are grown in Nha Phu lagoon.  



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