'Clean' seafood in Con Cuong ecological zone

(Baonghean.vn) - Taking advantage of the water surface area of ​​ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, people in Con Cuong district have raised many specialty fish species for high income.

Taking advantage of the water source of Giang River at Pha Lai Dam, Mon Son Commune, in June 2017, Mr. Ha Hong Ty's family received financial support from the State to raise fish in cages, each cage releasing 3 bird's nests of grass carp, plus the family's investment in opening more cages to raise specialty catfish and bream.

After 6 months, the fish grew well, the largest one grew to about 2 kg. It is expected that Mr. Ty's family will harvest 300 - 400 kg of fish per cage per year; with the current market price of 100,000 VND/kg, the profit is about 50 million VND/cage.

Mr. Vi Van Doan raises 6 cages of catfish and grass carp on Giang River; each year he earns around 50 million VND/cage. Photo: Tuong Vi

In the area, Mr. Vi Van Doan's family is currently investing the most in fish cage farming in the district; at one point, his family had over 10 cages, traders came to buy them, earning a profit of 300 - 400 million VND each year.

In addition to the policy of supporting the expansion of cage fish farming, Con Cuong district also encourages people to take advantage of streams to make fish ponds. This year, for the first time, the district is piloting a commercial climbing fish farming model, in which 100% of fish breeds and 60% of industrial feed are supported.

After 4 months, through inspection, the model was assessed to have developed well, from finger-sized fish, each fish now grows to an average of 500g, with a survival rate of about 80%; with the current market price of 200,000 VND/kg, this fish pond is expected to generate an income of over 100 million VND, twice as high as cage fish farming.

Most people raise aquatic animals with natural food to reduce costs.

The commercial climbing fish farming model is assessed to be developing well, after 4 months of farming, it reaches about 500g/fish. Photo: Tuong Vi

Currently, the total area for Con Cuong district to develop aquatic resources is 114.6 hectares. Including two large rivers, Lam River and Giang River, 31 large and small streams such as Khe Choang, Khe Thoi, Khe Kem stream, Ta Bo stream... 11 reservoirs; each year the total output from aquaculture is 302.2 tons.

Faced with the situation of gradually depleting aquatic resources, Con Cuong district has implemented a "project to conserve and develop aquatic resources in the district for the period 2015 to 2020".

The objective of the project to conserve and develop aquatic resources in the district is to restore and regenerate rare aquatic species of high economic value, protect the sustainable ecological environment, and provide clean food for people inside and outside the district.

Agricultural officials inspect a pilot model of commercial climbing fish farming and provide guidance on how to disinfect ponds and create a clean water environment. Photo: Tuong Vi

From 2018, the district will replicate the model of protecting aquatic resources under the management of communes and towns with rivers, streams, lakes and dams, strictly handling violations in exploitation and fishing, and violations of fisheries laws.

At the same time, implementing policies to expand the farming area to 134 hectares, equivalent to raising 50 fish cages with an expected output of 550 tons of clean fish in 2020, with a value of about 16.5 billion VND. In particular, forming spawning grounds for specialty fish species associated with implementing clean farming processes to improve product quality, bringing a clean ecological environment to Con Cuong tourist district.

Tuong Vi