Ba Ria-Vung Tau has an aquaculture area of about 6,300 ha. To develop the sector sustainably on a large scale, the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Department has encouraged locals to apply science and technology into production and built centers for aquatic seedling research and turned to hi-tech solutions to manage risk, increase productivity and quality, and adapt to climate change.

For the past 3 years Nguyen Duy Hai, the owner of 5 fish cages, 25,000 butterfish, and 5,000 cobias in Long Son commune, has raised marine fish in round cages using Norwegian technology. This model has increased his profits 20%.

Nguyen Duy Hai’s family is harvesting marine fish in round cages using Norwegian technology. (Photo: baobariavungtau.com.vn)

Ba Ria-Vung Tau has developed industrial shrimp farming areas in Dat Do district, Ba Ria city, and cage farming in Vung Tau city and Phu My town. The province currently has a total of 3,900 ha of ponds to cultivate tiger prawn and white leg shrimp. Their high-tech shrimp farming model has been widely replicated across the province, boosting profits 90%.

Shrimp farmer Nguyen Tri Thuc said, “We are applying the latest technology, which combines safe water, safe breeding and safe ponds and environmental protection. Although the costs are high, the method is sustainable and productive, making it possible to recoup the investment.”

The model has proved successful because it protects farmers against unpredictable weather and improves productivity.

Tran Van Cuong, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said production will be expanded and more research projects will be conducted to mprove product quality and productivity:

“One of Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s advantages is Con Dao island, which has great potential but hasn’t been zoned professionally. The coastal area from Binh Chau to Vung Tau also has potential. In the short term, the agriculture sector will implement pilot models, select businesses with the best potential, and survey locations in which to develop farming zones,” said Cuong.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau has created incentives for people to adopt the high-tech model and develop aquaculture that satisfies the traceability of origin criteria for products like tiger prawn and white leg shrimp.

Nguyen Huu Thi, head of the Farming Section of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Fisheries Department, said, “Aquaculture development is defined in our province’s direction. Ba Ria-Vung Tau has promulgated a number of policies to develop high-tech aquaculture models that minimize exploitation of the sea.”

“Aquaculture, particularly shrimp farming, raising oysters, and breeding fish in floating cages at estuaries, and deep processing will be the first to embrace advanced technology,” said Thi.