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.

Kien Giang to boost shrimp production in 2017

The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has set itself a target of producing 63,000 tonnes of shrimp on brackish-water farms this year.

It includes 16,240 tonnes from industrial and semi-industrial farming, 40,838 tonnes from shrimp-rice farming and 5,922 tonnes from improved-extensive farming.

Three main varieties are farmed: black-tiger shrimp, white-legged shrimp and blue-clawed prawn.

Nguyen Van Tam, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the department has directed local authorities to monitor shrimp farming to ensure shrimp diseases remain under control.

Relevant agencies and local authorities should closely follow the environmental situation to take proactive measures in case of saline intrusion during the ongoing dry season, he said.

The province should speed up agricultural expansion, promote the use of technology and advanced farming models and closely control production and provide shrimp for breeding, he said.

It plans to restructure the sector based on the large shrimp farming model to add value and link seafood processing and export companies with shrimp farmers.

It also plans to upgrade irrigation systems to provide water to meet the needs of shrimp farmers.

The province fisheries sector will regularly monitor the environment and disease outbreaks in prawn farming areas to quickly warn farmers.

Individuals and companies are regularly trained in various shrimp farming models and provided advanced support.

The fisheries sector has warned shrimp farmers they should inform authorities if there are symptoms of diseases to prevent large outbreaks.

In the first two months the province produced more than 4,500 tonnes of shrimp, nearly 36 percent higher than in the same period last year.

According to the department, the province could exceed this year’s target thanks to conducive weather and environmental conditions for farming shrimp.

Kien Giang has a 200km coast that is ideal for developing the fisheries sector, particularly brackish-water prawn farming.

Of the delta’s 77,000ha of rice fields where shrimp-rice farming is done, the province accounts for 20 percent.

In 2016, the province’s brackish-water shrimp output topped 56,800 tonnes, nearly 9 percent up year-on-year, according to the department.

Shrimp-rice farming not only fetches farmers extra incomes but also helps them adapt to climate change, which has been causing increased saltwater intrusion in recent years.

Source: VNA


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