Northern Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province plans to issue a set of local technical standards for marine aquaculture as part of efforts to tighten management and develop large-scale, sustainable offshore farming, provincial authorities said.
The move comes after more than four years of implementing a provincial directive on restructuring the marine farming sector, which has shifted from small, scattered operations to organized, technology-driven production.
Quang Ninh has designated more than 45,000 hectares of marine areas for aquaculture under its 2021-2030 provincial plan, including 13,000 hectares for mollusks and 5,000 hectares for marine fish. Marine farming now accounts for 65% of total aquaculture output, with the sector generating an estimated VND 7 trillion (USD 275 million) in 2024 and expected to exceed VND 16.6 trillion (USD 650 million) by 2030.
The province has issued 41 marine farming licenses covering over 4,150 hectares, while another 500 hectares have been assigned to 817 individual farmers, according to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. All license holders are required to meet strict environmental standards on waste management and pollution control.
Quang Ninh has also introduced a digital database for aquaculture management and product traceability using QR codes, and conducted over 30,000 environmental samples in the past four years to monitor water quality and disease risks.
Several high-tech models using HDPE cages, a more durable and eco-friendly material than traditional foam floats, have shown strong results in Van Don and Cam Pha districts. “Replacing foam floats with HDPE has reduced water pollution and improved production efficiency,” said Nguyen Van Cuong, director of Cuong Hoa Cooperative, which farms oysters and groupers in Van Don.
Officials acknowledged, however, that the licensing process remains slow due to overlaps with shipping routes and seaport zones, while some projects lack feasibility and unlicensed farming continues in some areas.
“The remaining challenges are valuable lessons for improving management and developing sustainable marine aquaculture,” said Phan Thanh Nghi, deputy director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The new technical standards, focusing on marine fish, mollusks and high-value specialty species, are expected to be finalized soon, as Quang Ninh aims to become northern Vietnam’s leading marine aquaculture hub.
VFM
