Handing over the sea for sustainable development.

Over the past period, Quang Ninh province has implemented many solutions to support and allocate sea areas to fishermen for aquaculture.

Thanh Tuan Aquaculture and Experiential Tourism Cooperative (Van Don Special Economic Zone) is developing marine farming on its licensed area.

The Thanh Tuan Aquaculture and Experiential Tourism Cooperative (Van Don Special Economic Zone) was established in 2018 with 7 members, all of whom are households with many years of experience in marine farming in Van Don. Currently, the cooperative has been allocated 20.15 hectares of water surface area for aquaculture combined with tourism and experiential activities. In accordance with Government Decree 11/2021/ND-CP (dated February 10, 2021) regulating the allocation of specific sea areas to organizations and individuals for the exploitation and use of marine resources, in June 2025, the cooperative was granted a license by the Provincial People's Committee to use the sea area for aquaculture, with a usage period until June 2050.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Le, Director of Thanh Tuan Aquaculture and Experiential Tourism Cooperative, said: "Sea farming is the main livelihood, creating jobs and stable income for the people of Van Don. Therefore, when the state granted permission and assigned the right to use the sea area, the cooperative members were very excited and confident in investing in production, no longer worrying about disputes or overlapping projects. In addition to traditional mollusks such as oysters, clams, and mussels, the cooperative will also invest in cultivating Gracilaria seaweed in combination with oyster farming, aiming to improve economic efficiency and increase income for its members."

With the attention and support of relevant agencies and local authorities, recently, many domestic and foreign investors have come to survey aquaculture conditions and expressed their desire to link production and product consumption with cooperatives. This is a positive sign, opening up opportunities for the cooperative's development in the future.

According to a report from the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Van Don Special Economic Zone, by the end of July 2025, 109 out of 120 households had been granted licenses and allocated sea areas for a period of 10 years, totaling 51.39 hectares, reaching a rate of 90.8%. In addition, there are 120 organizations, businesses, and cooperatives engaged in aquaculture activities in the area, with a total area of ​​approximately 11,508 hectares under the authority of the Provincial People's Committee for allocation and leasing. Among these, 4 cooperatives have been allocated sea areas totaling 175.88 hectares (Trung Nam Aquaculture Cooperative 47.98 hectares; Thanh Tuan Aquaculture and Experiential Tourism Cooperative 20.15 hectares; Ha Long Pearl Joint Stock Company 67.93 hectares; Bao Anh Aquaculture and Service Cooperative 39.82 hectares). Five units were granted licenses for marine aquaculture with a total area of ​​2,004 hectares, including: Van Don Trading Company Limited, AVD Group Joint Stock Company; Manh Duc Fisheries Trade and Service Cooperative, Trong Vinh Fisheries Trade and Service Cooperative; and Thang Loi Fisheries Cooperative.

Fish farming in cages in the Ông Cụ Island area (Cẩm Phả ward).

Ms. Pham Thi Thu Hien, Head of the Van Don Marine Aquaculture Association, shared: "The association currently has 24 members, representing companies and cooperatives involved in aquaculture and seafood processing in the area, with a total aquaculture area of ​​5,000 hectares... The government's licensing and recognition of the right to use the sea area not only helps businesses and people feel secure in investing in concentrated aquaculture, applying high technology, creating high-quality products to meet consumer demand, and increasing income for farmers, but also creates conditions for product traceability and aquaculture area codes… This completes the legal framework for the value chain of marine aquaculture products from production and processing to consumption, meeting the stringent standards of the export market."

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, by mid-July, the entire province had allocated 1,298.67 hectares of sea area for aquaculture (the total area for organizations and individuals who have submitted or are currently submitting applications), reaching 46.95%. Of this, the Provincial People's Committee allocated land to 9 organizations, totaling 911.41 hectares (39.20%); local authorities allocated land to 663 households, totaling 455.86 hectares (99.1%).

By 2025, Quang Ninh province is determined to essentially complete the licensing of aquaculture and the allocation of sea areas for aquaculture within the province. The allocation of sea areas must be consistent with planning, and aquaculture zones must be managed in accordance with sustainable development regulations. The province will also strengthen inspection and enforcement against violations of the law, putting an end to aquaculture activities that do not comply with regulations on sea area allocation.

Minh Yen

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/giao-bien-de-phat-trien-ben-vung-3371454.html