Floating cages breed marine fish species and lobsters in Ninh Thuận Province’s Ninh Hải District. – VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Thành

NINH THUẬN – Ninh Thuận Province is boosting the use of advanced farming techniques in marine aquaculture to increase production efficiency.

The south-central province is also developing value chains to breed aquatic species to increase added value and sustainable development.

With a 105 km coastline and favourable weather and seawater salinity suited for marine aquaculture, the province has increased investment in caged aquaculture in the coastal districts of Ninh Hải Thuận Nam, and Phan Rang—Tháp Chàm City in recent years.

It has 2,400 floating cages and 1,000 submerged cages for breeding lobsters, 800 floating cages for breeding marine fish and 1,000 floating cages for breeding Pacific oysters.

It recorded aquaculture output of more than 5,200 tonnes in the first half of the year, up 4 per cent against the same period last year, according to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

During the period, it produced 20.2 billion seeds of aquatic species, an increase of 6.9 per cent year-on-year.

It has strong potential for further developing marine aquaculture but most localities have not fully exploited it. Most farmers have small-scale farms and their breeding skills have not met the required standards. Breeding infrastructure is also insufficient.

Under its plan to develop marine aquaculture until 2030, the province will develop a 975-ha specialised marine aquaculture area and a 1,295-ha marine aquaculture area in combination with developing wind power in Ninh Hải District.

These areas will apply advanced techniques and strictly follow environmental protection regulations.

The province will prioritise farming high-value marine fish, lobsters, bivalve molluscs and seaweed.

It aims to produce 625 million seeds of marine fish, bivalve molluscs and crustacean species for breeding in 2030.

Trịnh Minh Hoàng, deputy chairman of the province People’s Committee, said that to achieve the plan’s targets, the province will invest in infrastructure to serve the application of advanced breeding techniques.

It will establish boat groups to serve marine aquaculture to transport aquatic species seeds along with food, harvest and preservation technologies.

It will solicit investment in high-tech marine aquaculture from companies that have high capacities for finance, science and technology, and experience and determination in investing in high-tech marine aquaculture.

It will have support policies to help farmers switch from using traditional floating wooden cages to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) floating cages, develop value chains for their produce, and arrange breeding areas that use traditional wooden floating and HDPE cages.

It will develop marine aquaculture in combination with developing tourism services, wind power and other marine economic sectors to effectively use the sea.

Local authorities have zoned farming areas for each type of aquatic species and instructed farmers on breeding techniques to improve efficiency.

Farmers in the province are expanding farming of marine fish, lobster, babylon snail, mud crab, blue swimming crab, bivalve molluscs and other aquatic species in coastal areas, bays and lagoons, according to the province’s Fisheries Sub-department.

They have earned stable profits this year because of favourable weather conditions for farming, increasing market demand and stable prices.

Nguyễn Thanh Duy in Ninh Hải District’s Tri Hải Commune breeds Pacific oysters in 15 floating cages in Nại Lagoon and earns a profit of VNĐ30 million (US$1,200) per cage per four-month breeding crop.

“The advantages of breeding Pacific oyster are low investment cost, fewer tending requirements and high yields,” he said.

In Nại Lagoon, farmers have combined developing aquaculture with tourism services to improve incomes. – VNS