Awakening the "green gold mine" of Thac Lake

>> Reviving aquatic resources of Thac Ba Lake

>> Sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources of Thac Ba Lake

>> Yen Binh launched patrols, control and protection of aquatic resources of Thac Ba Lake

>> Yen Bai strengthens protection of aquatic resources

Promoting water advantages

Yen Binh district currently has about 800 hectares of aquaculture with over 2,000 fish cages of more than 300 households, 13 cooperatives and many participating cooperatives and enterprises. In 2024, the district's aquaculture output will reach 8,500 tons. The main models are cage fish farming and net fish farming. Because Thac Ba lake is large, has clear water and many nooks and crannies, the cage fish farming model has developed strongly in the communes of Vinh Kien, Thinh Hung, Han Da, Phuc An... Many households and cooperatives have invested in hundreds of fish cages, harvesting dozens of tons each year. A typical example is Hoang Kim Aquatic Products Cooperative (Thinh Hung commune) with 300 fish cages, with an output of over 700 tons/year.

Notably, some aquaculture units in Yen Binh district have applied VietGAP process, traceability, products meeting 3-star OCOP standards are distributed in Hanoi and large supermarket systems. Along with cage fish farming, the net fish farming model in lakes is also highly effective thanks to taking advantage of natural food sources, saving costs, and low loss rate. The farming objects are increasingly diverse, including many specialty species such as: catfish, catfish, black carp, catfish, etc., contributing to increasing product value and expanding the consumption market.

Overcoming difficulties to develop

Despite its abundant potential, fish farming on Thac Ba Lake in Yen Binh District still faces many difficulties. In the dry season, low water levels cause many fish cages to lack oxygen, forcing people to move cages far from shore, increasing transportation and electricity costs. Overexploitation by using light nets and electric shock still occurs, seriously affecting water resources and the environment.

Faced with this situation, the district has planned concentrated farming areas, supported electricity, opened temporary roads, and created favorable conditions for people to move cages to deep water areas. Every year, the district organizes the release of fish fry to regenerate resources, while promoting propaganda, strengthening inspections, and handling illegal fishing activities.

Along with that are fundamental policies and solutions to help people feel secure in investing and developing sustainably such as: supporting technology transfer, providing preferential loans, building model points and linking consumption in chains.

Mr. Le Van Thu - Ma village, Vinh Kien commune shared: "My family currently has nearly 100 fish cages. In addition to raising meat fish such as grass carp and tilapia, I also invest in raising catfish and catfish fry, which are specialty fish species favored by the market. Thanks to capital and technical support, each year I supply about 50,000 fish fry, earning hundreds of millions of VND. Meat fish are also consumed stably through cooperatives and restaurants."

Exploiting "green gold mine" effectively and sustainably

Not only focusing on increasing output, Yen Binh district is aiming to develop aquaculture into a key economic sector associated with protecting the ecological environment. The district aims to expand the scale to 3,000 fish cages, with an output of over 9,000 tons per year. At the same time, the district promotes close links between people - cooperatives - enterprises to improve the efficiency of the value chain. Aquatic products will be developed according to VietGAP standards, the OCOP program, targeting markets outside the province and export.

At the same time, the environmental protection of Thac Ba Lake continues to be focused on, through measures to control exploitation, periodically release additional fish and preserve rare native fish species. A potential development direction being implemented by the district is eco-tourism associated with fish farming. Tourists can experience the life of fishermen, enjoy lake fish specialties at homestays along the lake, contributing to promoting the image of Thac Ba Lake and enhancing the overall economic value.

Developing fisheries on Thac Ba Lake is not only about exploiting the water surface reasonably but also an important strategy to create sustainable livelihoods, promote new rural construction and develop the local socio-economy. Typical models such as Mr. Le Van Thu's household show that, if invested in the right direction and with appropriate support mechanisms, fish farming on Thac Ba Lake can completely become a sustainable way to enrich people in the lake area, contributing positively to the overall development of the province.

Hong Oanh

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/12/352183/Danh-thuc-mo-vang-xanh-ho-Thac.aspx