Ca Mau: Mangrove shrimp soar to global markets with ASC Group Certification
On November 21, 2024, in Tan An Tay Commune, Ngoc Hien District, Ca Mau Province, 375 households partnered with Minh Phu Certified Shrimp Social Enterprise Co., Ltd. to receive ASC Group certification for 1,860 hectares of integrated shrimp-mangrove farming. This milestone marks significant progress in sustainable shrimp farming in Ca Mau, opening doors for Vietnamese shrimp products to expand into global markets.
The ASC Group certification, issued by Bureau Veritas (BV), guarantees that seafood is responsibly farmed, reducing environmental and ecological impacts while meeting strict labor standards. According to the ASC website, this is the largest shrimp-mangrove ASC Group certification model in both Vietnam and the world.
Vo Minh Ho, Vice Chairman of the Tan An Tay Commune People’s Committee, emphasized that the shrimp-mangrove model not only strengthens forest conservation efforts but also enhances farming techniques. Farmers are progressively adopting modern standards, fostering biodiversity conservation, and creating value chains that integrate production and consumption, which contributes to a sustainable circular economy.
The ASC certification has brought tangible economic benefits to local communities. In 2023, revenues from forest environmental services and added value from shrimp-mangrove projects totaled over VND 3.8 billion, with projections for 2024 expected to exceed VND 4 billion. These outcomes reflect the close cooperation among Minh Phu Certified Shrimp Social Enterprise, local authorities, and dedicated farmers.
Minh Phu is actively expanding certified shrimp farming initiatives across several communes in Ngoc Hien District, including Vien An Dong, Vien An, Tam Giang Tay, Tan An, and Rach Goc Town. This expansion covers nearly 11,500 hectares and involves over 2,370 households, contributing to the development of a sustainable shrimp farming ecosystem that integrates mangrove conservation to enhance climate resilience.
Currently, Ngoc Hien District manages approximately 23,000 hectares of ecological shrimp farming under mangrove canopies, with 1,860 hectares certified by ASC. This project, implemented in key areas, establishes a strong foundation for scaling internationally certified farming models across the district.
Beyond shrimp-mangrove farming, other innovative models like shrimp-rice, industrial shrimp farming, and improved extensive shrimp farming are being introduced in districts such as Cai Nuoc and Phu Tan. These initiatives reinforce Ca Mau’s reputation as Vietnam’s shrimp farming hub and contribute to the national fisheries sector’s sustainability goals.
Ca Mau aims to expand its shrimp-mangrove farming model to 40,000 hectares between 2025 and 2030, targeting districts such as Thoi Binh, Tran Van Thoi, and U Minh. With support from local governments, enterprises, and international organizations like WWF Vietnam, GIZ, and MCD, Vietnam’s shrimp industry is steadily strengthening its position on the global seafood stage.
VFM
