The cage fish farming industry in Van Phu needs to be revived.

The former Hung Lo commune, now part of Van Phu ward, is located along the Lo River. Due to its riverside location and large water surface area, cage fish farming once flourished here, but it is currently experiencing a slowdown.

The remnants of Typhoon Yagi in 2024 remain in the cage fish farming industry.

Mr. Le Huy Ha, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Phu Ward, said: At its peak, the former Hung Lo commune had more than 40 fish cages, annually selling tens of tons of catfish, tilapia, red snapper, and other species to the market, contributing to increased income and providing employment for dozens of households.

The Hung Lo cage-farmed fish brand has a long-standing reputation in the market, thanks to its fish raised in clean water, which are delicious and reasonably priced. The products are exported to many provinces and cities nationwide and are trusted by consumers.

However, to date, only two households in the area are still engaged in this profession. Explaining the decline in fish farming households, Mr. La Tien Boong - a long-time cage fish farmer - said: The Yagi typhoon in 2024 caused severe damage, especially the strong flood on the Lo River, which resulted in numerous fish cages being broken, swept away, or damaged; many cages were left empty of fish after the storm. In addition, the strong, muddy river water caused many fish to die during this period, resulting in heavy losses for the farmers.

Many fish cages remain abandoned, rusted, and beyond repair or restoration.

Sighing with concern about the profession, Mr. Boong added: Some households haven't recovered economically for almost a year, because all their savings have been invested in fish cages. The old Hung Lo area had good conditions for developing cage fish farming, with a river that wasn't too deep, clean water, and convenient trade; many households had experience in fish farming and wanted to restart cage farming. However, the heavy losses have made many households hesitant to do so. Natural disasters, weather, and the "lessons" from the 2024 floods are obstacles to cage fish farming in Hung Lo today.

Many floating fish cages, fishing gear, etc., are stranded, abandoned, and left unattended or unrepaired, resulting in waste.

According to Mr. Boong, cage fish farming in Hung Lo, if conditions are favorable, can be quite profitable, and there are no worries about the market because it already has a brand. If developed well, up to 100-120 cages could be raised in the area while still ensuring sufficient water, space, and preventing pollution. However, the old farmers are not enthusiastic about resuming cage farming unless there is a mechanism to stimulate the industry and favorable weather and hydrological conditions...

What opportunities exist for the development of cage fish farming in Van Phu in the future is a question many households are asking and need an answer to.

Mr. Le Huy Ha, Vice Chairman of the Van Phu Ward People's Committee, shared: "We have all the conditions to strongly develop cage fish farming. However, after assessing the situation, we found that most households have abandoned the profession or are still concerned about the complex weather patterns in recent years, especially the unpredictable storms and heavy rains. Therefore, resuming cage farming is facing many difficulties."

It is evident that cage fish farming in the former Hung Lo commune has great potential, but is currently stagnating. The conversion to river fish farming in ponds, training in scientific and technical methods, proactive flood and storm prevention strategies, and sharing farming experience during unpredictable weather conditions need to be strongly communicated to households so that the industry can continue to develop and contribute to the local economy.

National Assembly

Source: https://baophutho.vn/can-vuc-lai-nghe-nuoi-ca-long-o-van-phu-239089.htm