In Vietnam, marine farming is a significant industry, generating billions of USD annually. With 385km of coastline, over 200 islands, three bays, and two relatively sheltered lagoons, Khanh Hoa has both potential and a leading position in the country’s marine farming sector.
The primary species farmed in this region include lobster, cobia, pomfret, grouper, barramundi, and others. Additional farming of Pacific oysters, sea cucumbers, pearl oysters, and seaweed also provides economic benefits to the local fishermen.
Nguyen Duy Quang, Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, states that the province’s annual farmed seafood production ranges from 16,000 to 18,000 tons, significantly contributing to the sector’s output. Marine farming accounts for about 50% of the province’s total aquaculture output, with an export value of 780 million USD in 2023.
However, traditional marine farming mainly uses trash fish, and excess feed leads to environmental pollution and uncontrolled disease outbreaks. The use of foam buoys, plastic floats, and packaging increases plastic waste, significantly impacting the environment. Traditional cage farming also carries high risks for fishermen.
Recent years have seen many organizations warning about the increasing plastic waste in the oceans. Both the production and disposal of plastic emit large amounts of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. Notably, burning plastic releases harmful toxins into the air, further affecting the environment.
To maintain sustainable development and reduce emissions in line with current export market demands, Khanh Hoa’s agriculture sector is focusing on implementing the high-tech marine farming pilot project approved by the Prime Minister. The project aims to expand advanced marine farming models across the province’s open seas.
In early June, after reviewing the high-tech marine farming pilot model in Khanh Hoa’s open seas, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien suggested expanding it to 27 other coastal provinces and cities in Vietnam.
For Khanh Hoa, Tien emphasized the importance of effectively implementing policies to support fishermen in adopting high-tech marine farming, building industry linkages, and regularly monitoring the environment to ensure the health of farmed seafood and maximize economic benefits for farmers.