Turning aquaculture into a commodity production industry

VietGAP shrimp farming in Quynh Bang commune (Quynh Luu). Photo: Phu Huong

Exploiting potential and advantages

With a long coastline, large fishing grounds, abundant aquatic resources, many estuaries and thousands of hectares of brackish water surface, Nghe An has great potential to develop a sustainable aquatic economy.

In recent years, following the development momentum and being encouraged by the policies of the Party and the State, fishermen in the province have boldly invested in large ships and large machines to go offshore for long-term fishing to achieve high economic efficiency. The capacity of fishing vessels has increased rapidly, with a decrease in the number of inshore fishing vessels and an increase in the number of offshore fishing vessels.

Up to now, the total number of fishing vessels in the province is 3,521, of which 1,430 are offshore fishing vessels. Many new technologies in exploitation, resource search, product preservation, protection and development of aquatic resources have been applied. 100% of offshore fishing vessels are equipped with satellite positioning, fish finders, and medium-range communication devices; 50% of offshore fishing vessels are equipped with long-range communication systems; more than 150 vessels are equipped with horizontal detectors; many vessels have installed storage tanks made of new materials (PU) to improve product quality.

According to the 2019 plan, Quynh Luu strives to exploit over 63,000 tons of seafood. Photo: Viet Hung

More effectively, Nghe An fishermen have promoted the tradition of solidarity, cooperation and mutual support at sea. The number of fishing vessels participating in the exploitation of Hoang Sa waters is increasing, in 2014 there was only 1 vessel participating with 3 trips, but in 2018 there were 163 vessels with 621 trips. In 2018, the output of marine exploitation reached 143,107 tons, with a total estimated value of over 3,383 billion VND; the output of inland fisheries exploitation reached 6,260 tons.

According to Mr. Nguyen Chi Luong - Head of the Department of Fisheries, in addition to improving exploitation capacity, Nghe An also focuses on exploiting the advantages of coastal areas, sea surface, ponds and lakes to expand aquaculture areas and introduce new farming species into production. Many aquaculture models following VietGAP, intensive white-leg shrimp farming, semi-intensive tiger prawn farming, green crab farming, tilapia farming, snakehead fish farming, etc. are being effectively implemented in coastal localities and mountainous and midland areas. In particular, in 2015, Nghe An began producing and raising billions of aquatic breeds, marking an important milestone in the development of the province's aquaculture industry.

When production output is quite good, the processing industry also develops accordingly, bringing in quite large added value, meeting the needs of consumption and export. Export processing factories are invested in building new ones, upgrading with increasingly modern equipment, contributing to the restructuring of the industry towards commodity production, actively serving the export task in the area.

Shrimp products of Dien Chau district are expected to have traceability stamps by the end of 2019. Photo: Phu Huong

Currently, the whole province has 21,305 hectares of aquaculture, of which 18,900 hectares are for freshwater fish farming and 2,405 hectares are for brackish water farming; the total aquaculture output in 2018 reached nearly 150,000 tons.

Accordingly, Nghe An currently has 14 concentrated seafood processing zones, annually supplying the market with nearly 25 million liters of various types of fish sauce, over 15,000 tons of fish meal, and 5,000 tons of fish sauce. Export processing facilities have been invested in scale, equipment, and production technology, contributing products for domestic consumption, small-scale exports, and many fish sauce, shrimp, and dried squid products... are famous in the market. Most production units ensure quality, improve designs, and build and register brands.

Along with production development, fishing infrastructure has received special attention in investment and construction to meet development needs. Up to now, fishing ports, fishing wharves, anchorage areas, storm shelters: Lo Lach, Con Lach, Van Lach, Cua Hoi have been upgraded and expanded, creating favorable conditions for the exchange process, reducing time, and increasing product value. Currently, the whole province has built and is building 13 fishing ports, fishing wharves and anchorage areas for storm shelters such as Quynh Phuong fishing port, Nghi Quang anchorage area, upgrading Cua Hoi fishing port, Van Lach, Quen Lach... Shipbuilding and repair facilities are increasingly invested in both quantity and scale, currently the whole province has 58 facilities.

Targeting the manufacturing industry

However, in addition to the achievements, in recent years, Nghe An Fisheries industry has also faced many difficulties and limitations. The value of Fisheries industry in the province's GDP structure is not high; many fishing vessels are still outdated; productivity, output and efficiency in aquaculture are still low compared to the potential.

Shipbuilding facility in Tien Thuy, Quynh Luu. Photo: VH

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Tran Huu Tien said: In order to exploit and develop the aquaculture industry in an effective, safe and sustainable manner, in the coming years, Nghe An will continue to strengthen management and rational use of natural resources and resources, protect the ecological environment; focus on mobilizing, managing and rationally using resources for investment in infrastructure construction. In particular, encourage organizations and individuals to invest in the production and breeding of aquatic breeds to proactively source breeds for key subjects according to the restructuring project of the agricultural sector, encourage aquaculture in the direction of VietGAP and high technology.

At the same time, promote the construction of large ships with high capacity, offshore exploitation, equipped with modern equipment to ensure long-term operation at sea, gradually modernize the fishing industry. The goal by 2020 is to develop aquaculture into a stable commodity production industry to ensure the growth target of agriculture, forestry and fishery of the province, contributing to job creation and raising people's income.

Quynh Luu fishermen hit the jackpot with a catch of hairtail fish for export. Photo: Viet Hung

Accordingly, strive to achieve total aquatic product output of over 150,000 tons by 2020; of which, aquatic product exploitation output is 100,000 tons; aquaculture output is 50,000 tons; by 2020, produce 100% quality aquatic breeds and 100% disease-free black tiger shrimp and white-leg shrimp breeds. Strengthen training to improve the quality of human resources and promote the application of scientific and technological advances, especially biotechnology, to improve productivity and quality of aquaculture, exploitation and processing of aquatic products; link aquaculture development with strengthening production relations, improving people's lives, solving social issues, maintaining political security and firmly ensuring national sovereignty over seas and islands.

Exactly 60 years ago, on April 1, 1959, during a visit to several islands, including Cat Ba fishing port, Uncle Ho said: “The North of our country has been liberated. Our golden forests and silver seas are owned by our people. From now on, we must bring machinery into fishing. The Party and the Government will help people buy more and better fishing boats.”

To commemorate the above event, in 1979, the Fisheries industry chose April 1st every year to organize the "Traditional Fisheries Festival" and in 1995, the Prime Minister decided to organize the Traditional Fisheries Day on April 1st every year. Up to now, Vietnam's fisheries industry has made great strides. In 2018, seafood export turnover reached about 9 billion USD. Vietnam is also a major seafood exporter in the world.