Khanh Hoa launches pearl grouper hatchery to boost seed supply
Khanh Hoa province has launched an artificial seed production program for the pearl grouper to reduce dependence on imports and stabilize fingerling supply for local farmers, aiming to support sustainable aquaculture development.
Grouper farming has become an important source of income for coastal communities in Khanh Hoa but has faced persistent shortages of locally produced seed. The new project, titled “Application of technology for artificial pearl grouper seed production,” is intended to address this gap.
With nearly 500 km of coastline, numerous bays, and a mild climate, Khanh Hoa offers favorable conditions for aquaculture. The pearl grouper is a key farmed species due to its fast growth, high survival rates, and steady market demand.
According to Hoang Thi Chau Long, the project’s manager, the pearl grouper is widely farmed in Van Ninh, Ninh Hoa, Nha Trang, and Cam Ranh using ponds and floating cages. However, local hatchery capacity has not kept pace with demand, especially during the main stocking season from January to March. Farmers have often been forced to import fingerlings from Taiwan, China, and Indonesia, increasing costs and raising quality concerns.
To address this, Khanh Hoa Fisheries Investment Co. has established a hatchery model for artificial pearl grouper seed production. The approach has also been adopted by Ha Van Chung Hatchery and TP Aqua Group JSC, using cement tanks and lined ponds for nursery operations.
Tran Van Thu, a company representative, said the pearl grouper – a hybrid of the male giant grouper and female tiger grouper, has significant economic value and is popular in Vietnam, China, and Taiwan. Survival rates from larval to fingerling stages range from 82% to 87% in tanks and 83% to 85% in lined ponds, with the nursery cycle shortened to 85–107 days.
Combined, the facilities have produced over 1.15 million fingerlings measuring 7–9 cm, supplying farms in Khanh Hoa and other provinces. Over 2.5 years, the project has generated revenue of more than VND 15 billion (approximately USD 590,000) and profit exceeding VND 4 billion (USD 160,000).
Pearl groupers are typically raised in floating cages, ponds, or tanks, reaching market sizes of 0.8–1 kg per fish in 8–10 months. Known for their distinctive black-and-yellow stripes and firm flesh, they are sold to restaurants and hotels for VND 350,000 to over VND 500,000 (USD 14–20) per kilogram.
Truong Tan Hung, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Farmers’ Union, said the hatchery model not only stabilizes seed supply and reduces import dependence but also creates jobs, increases local incomes, and supports poverty reduction efforts in coastal communities.
VFM
