February 20, 2023

Need for Vietnam's marine aquaculture to modernise highlighted at conference

Virtually all of Vietnam's marine aquaculture is operated by household businesses using outdated technologies, Assoc Prof Nguyen Huu Dung, chairman of the Vietnam Seaculture Association, said.

Speaking at a conference held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Binh Dinh province on February 14, Prof Dung said the country's marine aquaculture is behind times, with only around 10 companies applying modern industrial methods.

Tran Cong Khoi, deputy head of the Directorate of Fisheries' aquaculture department, said Vietnam is plagued by improper planning, underdeveloped infrastructure, diseases and natural disasters.

Only a few enterprises invest in industrial marine aquaculture models, he said.

Dr. Vo Si Tuan from the Vietnam Science and Technology Advisory Council said marine aquaculture, traditionally, has been done on a small scale and does not conform to government plans. It also poses high pollution risks.

The solution is to change technologies and farming methods, he said.

Tran Van Phuc, director of the Binh Dinh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the province only has 60 hectares of marine aquaculture farms using modern methods. However, it is gradually industrialising its marine aquaculture sector by adopting technologies and farming methods that are more effective and environmentally friendly, he said.

- Vietnam Plus