Ca Mau promotes international cooperation to develop the crab industry using modern genetic breeding technology.

Within the framework of the International Symposium on Applied Genomics in Agriculture taking place from October 27-29, 2025 at VinUni University (Hanoi), the delegation of the Department of Science and Technology of Ca Mau province led by Mr. Quach Van An, Deputy Director of the Department, attended and had many important activities to promote international cooperation in the field of developing the Ca Mau crab industry.

Overview and development orientation of Ca Mau crab industry

At the aquaculture session on October 28, Mr. Quach Van An gave a presentation on the topic "Ca Mau Crab Sector: Status Update and Key Issues to Tackle", introducing an overview of the current status of the Ca Mau crab industry, the challenges that need to be addressed and the development orientations in the coming time.

Mr. Quach Van An, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, presented at the Workshop. Photo: TT

Mud crab ( Scylla paramamosain ) is the main species, accounting for about 95% of the total Scylla population in Vietnam, with more than 386,000 hectares of farming area, an average output of over 40,000 tons/year, playing a pivotal role in the coastal economy . However, the quality of the breed is still unstable, there is no genetic selection program or standardized broodstock management, causing the disease situation to increase, productivity and survival rate to decrease. Most of the current hatcheries are converted from shrimp nurseries, not optimized for crab seed production.

In addition, the export market still depends on live exports to China (70-80%), while value-added processed products are very limited. To achieve global competitiveness, the Ca Mau crab industry needs to focus on improving breed quality, diversifying markets, developing sustainable value chains associated with the forest-crab ecological farming model and other modern farming models in the future.

Photo: Delegates and domestic and foreign experts attending the Workshop

Promoting international cooperation in research and genetic selection of Ca Mau crabs

During the workshop, leaders of the Department of Science and Technology of Ca Mau had in-depth working sessions with Vin University (VinUni), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and the University of Queensland (UQ) , which are the world's leading units in gene technology and genetic selection in aquaculture.

The three parties have agreed to build a comprehensive and long-term cooperation program in the research and development of the Ca Mau crab industry. In the immediate future, the parties will build and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and at the same time implement a 1-year initial research project to collect a genetic database of the Ca Mau crab population. This will be the premise for the genetic selection program and crab breed improvement in the next phase.

Photo: Representatives of the Department of Science and Technology of Ca Mau, VinUni University, CSIRO and the University of Queensland (UQ) at the working session

Strategic steps towards a “sustainable crab industry”

Ca Mau's participation in this international conference not only demonstrates the local strategic vision in applying high technology to aquaculture, but also opens the door to international cooperation for the crab industry, one of the most typical and valuable products of the Ca Mau region.

With the support of leading international partners, Ca Mau hopes to build a crab breeding program, aiming for a sustainable crab industry with traceability and global value, contributing to affirming the "Ca Mau Crab" brand on the world seafood map.

Source: https://sokhcn.camau.gov.vn/hoat-dong-cua-so/ca-mau-thuc-day-hop-tac-quoc-te-phat-trien-nganh-cua-bien-bang-cong-nghe-chon-giong-di-truyen-hi-290201