Pearl Grouper - a potential new farming species

The model of raising pearl barramundi in earthen ponds in Dong Hoa town is being evaluated as having potential . After completing this model , the authorities will expand it and guide farmers to use industrial feed in marine fish farming , aiming to develop the marine farming industry in Phu Yen more sustainably .

Conversion of breeding objects

In recent years, commercial marine fish farming in Phu Yen has developed strongly. However, local management is not strict, spontaneous farming still occurs in many farming areas, farmers use fresh food such as trash fish or self-processed food, so the quality is not guaranteed, the farming environment is easily polluted, economic efficiency is not high...

According to the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, the implementation of a marine fish farming model using industrial feed is very necessary and is a sustainable trend in marine farming today. Thanks to the proactive source of artificial breeds and the popularity of the market, grouper is a subject that many coastal people in the province are interested in investing in farming. In 2023, the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center will implement a model of commercial pearl grouper farming in earthen ponds using industrial feed in Dong Hoa town.

Mr. Nguyen Ky Thanh in Phu Lac quarter, Hoa Hiep Nam ward (Dong Hoa town) said: Previously, my family raised white-leg shrimp and encountered many difficulties due to frequent epidemics, leading to many losses. My family intended to switch to a new, more stable farming species and was surveyed by the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center to meet the conditions, so we chose to implement the pearl grouper farming model in earthen ponds. The fish were stocked from mid-June 2023, on an area of 3,300m2. Up to now, after 9 months, the farmed fish are growing and developing well.

As a person who is regularly on duty at the model's pond, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung said: The techniques of raising, feeding and preventing diseases on grouper are instructed very specifically and regularly by the staff of Dong Hoa Town Agricultural Extension Station and the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center. When the fish are small, feed them twice a day in the morning and evening, with a feeding portion of about 2-3% of their body weight. When the fish reach a weight of 200g/fish or more, feed them 1-2 times a day.

Up to now, the fish have reached a weight of about 1kg/fish, fed 1-2 times/day and fed with fresh food which is trash fish. Water management in the pond is also very important, must ensure adequate salinity and regularly check and treat, not let pollution occur.

Replicating the model towards industry

The model of raising commercial grouper in earthen ponds of Mr. Nguyen Ky Thanh was first deployed in the town. This model has raised 3,300 fingerlings (density 1 fish/m2), up to now, it has been 9 months, the fish have grown well and reached an average weight of about 0.9-1kg/fish, the survival rate is 85%. This farming progress is satisfactory.

“The implementation of the fish farming model using industrial feed has helped farmers be more proactive in food sources, besides contributing to limiting environmental pollution, ensuring disease safety, moving towards sustainable and more effective marine fish farming,” said Mr. Huynh Thuc Khoa, Head of the Dong Hoa Town Agricultural Extension Station.

According to the provincial Agricultural Extension Center, this grouper farming model will be implemented in 10 months, with the State funding supporting no more than 50% of the cost of buying fry and industrial feed, while the rest will be self-funded by households. The technical parameters of the grouper farming model in Dong Hoa town have so far met the requirements.

Mr. Truong Van Tuan, Director of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, said: Due to the lack of time and harvest size, it is not possible to calculate the economic efficiency of the farming season at the present time. It is expected that in April 2024, the center will organize acceptance, summarize and evaluate the economic efficiency of the model. However, with the estimated technical criteria as mentioned above and the stable selling price of commercial fish in the range of 150,000-250,000 VND/kg, this is a potential marine fish species. At the same time, the model also contributes to the development of household economy, increasing income for farmers and diversifying aquaculture species in the province.

If the grouper farming model in earthen ponds in Dong Hoa town is successful as expected, this will be a stepping stone for grouper farmers in the region to gradually switch from fresh food (trash fish) to using industrial food, aiming to develop sustainable marine fish farming in Phu Yen .

Director of Provincial Agricultural Extension Center Truong Van Tuan

MR. NGOC

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