The province currently has thousands of hectares of water surface area suitable for aquaculture, mainly concentrated in reservoirs of the Ban Chat, Huoi Quang, Son La, and Lai Chau hydroelectric power plants, as well as natural ponds, lakes, and streams. Many localities such as Than Uyen, Tan Uyen, Muong Te, and Nam Nhun are gradually exploiting their existing potential effectively, making aquaculture an important source of livelihood. Households and cooperatives are investing in sturdy cages, applying scientific and technical advancements to production, and choosing to raise high -economic- value fish species such as snakehead, catfish, tilapia, and monosex tilapia. The province currently has more than 150,000 fish cages in hydroelectric reservoir areas, with the highest concentration in Than Uyen and Tan Uyen communes. In addition, hundreds of households participate in aquaculture through cooperatives and collaborative groups, contributing to improved production efficiency and product consumption.
People in Than Uyên commune harvest farmed fish in the Bản Chát and Huội Quảng hydroelectric reservoirs.
Thanks to the province's appropriate development orientation and the proactive efforts of the people, aquaculture has maintained positive growth momentum. In the first six months of 2026, the total aquaculture and fishing output of the province is estimated at 1,361 tons, an increase of 7.59% compared to the same period last year; fish production alone reached 1,344.9 tons. Currently, three main aquaculture methods are developing simultaneously in the province: pond farming, tank farming, and cage farming, arranged to suit the natural conditions of each locality. In addition, the increase in production scale has led to new demands for aquaculture regarding product quality, food safety, and environmental protection.
In the Bản Chát hydroelectric reservoir area, the number of aquaculture cages has increased from 280 (in 2024) to over 500 (in 2026), with a production of over 700 tons per year. Local people are not only increasing the number of cages but also focusing on improving product quality through the application of advanced technical processes and the selection of aquatic species suitable to the natural conditions and market demands. The rapid development in farming scale has also raised new demands for environmental protection in the farming areas. Currently, the density of cages in some areas has reached over 40-50 cages per hectare of water surface. Without proper management of cage density, the resulting feed and waste, the risk of water pollution, and disease outbreaks are entirely possible, directly affecting production efficiency and the long-term development of local aquaculture.
Cage fish farming is proving to be an effective economic development strategy for people in the province.
Mr. Le Tuan Anh, Director of the Than Uyen Agricultural , Industrial, Commercial, and Tourism Cooperative, stated: “To develop sustainable fish farming, we have determined that product quality and the farming environment must be prioritized. The cooperative guides its members to follow proper technical procedures, use quality feed, monitor water conditions regularly, and avoid expanding cages beyond the carrying capacity of the water area. We focus on deep processing, brand building, and expanding markets to enhance product value.”
According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in recent years, the province's aquaculture production has maintained a relatively high growth rate. However, in response to the demands of green and sustainable agricultural development, aquaculture cannot continue to develop extensively but needs to shift strongly towards specialized development. In the coming time, the province will focus on planning suitable aquaculture areas, encouraging the application of science and technology, developing the cultivation of high-economic-value aquatic species, building a supply chain from production to consumption, and strengthening the management of the aquaculture environment to ensure harmony between economic development and the protection of the aquatic ecosystem. This is an important solution to enhance the value and competitiveness of Lai Chau's aquatic products in the market.”
With its advantage of large water surface area, coupled with the province's focus on planning aquaculture zones, applying scientific and technical advancements, building supply chains, and protecting the ecological environment, Lai Chau's fisheries sector is gaining momentum for breakthroughs. When people, businesses, and cooperatives work together to build safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible aquaculture zones, these vast lakes will generate economic benefits, becoming the foundation for sustainable development, increasing people's income, and boosting the province's economic growth.
Source: https://baolaichau.vn/kinh-te/khai-thac-hieu-qua-tiem-nang-mat-nuoc-500635
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