Khanh Hoa launches high-tech marine aquaculture initiative
On March 7 in Nha Trang City, the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee held a ceremony to announce and launch a pilot project for high-tech marine farming. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien and Secretary of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee Nghiem Xuan Thanh.
Showing promise
Nguyen Duy Quang, Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated that Resolution 09-NQ/TW (issued on January 28, 2022) by the Politburo outlines marine economic development, prioritizing high-tech, eco-friendly aquaculture, exploitation, and seafood processing.
To implement this resolution, in July 2022, the department collaborated with the Institute of Aquaculture Research III to develop a pilot high-tech marine farming project. Approved by the Prime Minister under Decision 231 (dated January 24, 2025), the project is funded by the Thien Tam Foundation (Vingroup).
Earlier, the department assigned the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center to partner with the Thien Tâm Foundation and the Khánh Hòa Provincial People’s Committee to pilot an open-sea farming model in Cam Ranh City.
The pilot project selected 10 eligible households to participate, providing them with 16 round HDPE cages (800m³ per cage) for marine fish farming and 12 square HDPE cages (24m³ per unit, two-tier) for lobster farming. These cages are equipped with surveillance cameras and GPS tracking systems, enabling 24/7 remote monitoring.
After one year, the HDPE farming model proved significantly more profitable than traditional wooden cages, with profitability rates of 172% for cobia, 112% for lobster, and 131% for grouper.
Farmer Vu Khac Muoi from Nha Trang City noted that while aquaculture serves as a vital livelihood for local communities, it faces numerous challenges, including pollution, natural disasters, and small-scale operations. After joining the high-tech marine farming model in Cam Lap, he found HDPE cages to be a more sustainable alternative, yielding higher-quality products. Encouraged by these results, he is continuing his participation in the project at Dam Bay.
Expanding
The project designates high-tech marine farming zones, covering 1,443 hectares within 3 nautical miles and approximately 1,273 hectares between 3 and 6 nautical miles.
Khanh Hoa Province Vice Chairman, Dinh Van Thieu, has assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to develop criteria and classification standards for high-tech cages tailored to each farming area. The department is also responsible for advising on policies related to disaster risk insurance for aquaculture, accident insurance for workers, and the transition from traditional cage materials to advanced alternatives.
Additionally, the province will implement a value chain-based production model, with purchasing and processing enterprises playing a central role. Environmental protection measures will be enforced, alongside investments in farming infrastructure, including buoy systems, warning lights, and mooring systems for cages.
The Department of Finance, the Department of Industry and Trade, and the Van Phong Economic Zone Authority will take the lead in attracting enterprises to invest comprehensively in marine aquaculture development. The focus will be on an integrated model that connects seed production, feed supply, and market distribution. Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology will collaborate with research institutes, universities, and industry experts to advance high-tech marine farming initiatives.
Coastal local governments will designate specific aquaculture zones and allocate farming areas to residents and cooperatives. The Provincial Cooperative Alliance will restructure small-scale farms under a community-based management model. Enterprises involved in seed production will adopt advanced technologies to ensure high-quality fingerlings and feed, while individual farmers and households are encouraged to invest in modern cages and supporting technologies.
The Thien Tam Fund (Vingroup) will continue to support households transitioning to HDPE cage farming, enabling them to operate in offshore waters. Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien praised Khanh Hoa for being the first province to introduce a pilot scheme for high-tech marine farming. He also urged stakeholders to refine policies and mechanisms, enhance human resource training, invest in technology, improve seed quality and feed, strengthen disease prevention, and develop supporting industries to increase product value.
VFM
