Raising red-spotted grouper, people in Nai lagoon change their lives

In recent years, people in the communes along Nai lagoon, Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan province have changed their lives thanks to raising red-spotted black grouper and Pacific oysters.

Nai lagoon is one of 12 coastal lagoons in our country, typical of the dry tropical coastal type, with rich aquatic resources, located in the densely populated area of ​​Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan province.

Black grouper, a specialty of Nai lagoon, Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan province. Photo: IT.

In recent years, shrimp farming here has faced many difficulties and challenges such as diseases, high production costs, water environment degradation, diseases, economic barriers due to raw materials containing antibiotic and chemical residues, etc. Therefore, the agricultural sector has invested in the project "Applying scientific and technological advances to build a number of suitable aquaculture models to create sustainable livelihoods for communes along Nai lagoon".

In early 2017, the Level 1 Seafood Center led a project with a model of raising Pacific oysters and raising red-spotted black grouper. The red-spotted grouper model alone is sold by people at 240,000 VND/kg, with a value of more than 800 million VND/ha.

Raising red-spotted black grouper, during the entire raising period, mainly feed with industrial feed, the feeding portion is calculated reasonably according to the raising time and the size of the fish. Therefore, the excess feed in the pond is insignificant. Moreover, the pond environment is always controlled daily, suitable for the fish to grow. Water changes are done when necessary. The grouper farming model in earthen ponds does not cause environmental pollution for the raising area and the living of the community.

Pacific oyster farming model, for 40 households with an area of ​​20ha. Average harvest size 10 - 12 fish/kg, productivity 14 - 15 tons/ha. Red-spotted black grouper farming model, for 10 households with an area of ​​2.5ha. Average harvest size >1.0 kg/fish, productivity 8 - 10 tons/ha. Trained 11 technicians on farming techniques, trained 150 people.

Harvesting Pacific oysters farmed in Nai lagoon, Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan province.

The cost of raising Pacific oysters in ponds is not high, labor costs account for 40%, with a selling price of 26,000 VND/kg, giving a profit of about 57,000,000 VND/0.5ha, the profit is not high but has great significance in creating jobs, increasing income for households that have ponds but lack capital.

The model of raising red-spotted black grouper in ponds has a high cost, accounting for 54%, with a selling price of 240,000 VND/kg, giving a profit of 207,000,000 VND/0.25ha, this profit has contributed to significantly increasing income for farmers.

Pacific oysters are filter feeders, their main food is single-celled algae and organic matter suspended in water. During the farming process, no additional food is added, the food provided to oysters is mainly from natural water sources, thus contributing to improving the environment.