High-tech aquaculture: Unlocking potential, overcoming challenges.

KHANH HOA PROVINCE: Khanh Hoa province is strongly shifting towards high-tech marine aquaculture to adapt to climate change and increase the value and output of aquatic products.

Great potential, strong motivation.

Khanh Hoa is one of the provinces with the most advantages in the country for developing modern, industrial-scale marine aquaculture. The province has a coastline nearly 500km long with more than 200 large and small islands, many sheltered lagoons and bays, and deep-water ports, all very favorable for the development of fisheries, including marine aquaculture.

Industrial-scale aquaculture in Khanh Hoa province. Photo: Kim So.

Aquaculture in Khanh Hoa province has always played a crucial role, creating jobs and improving the lives of coastal residents. The province's annual aquaculture production reaches over 32,000 tons, with marine farming accounting for approximately 50%, making a significant contribution to the province's seafood export revenue (reaching US$845.9 million in 2024).

Khanh Hoa is also a major center for marine science training and research. The province is home to prestigious training and research institutions such as Nha Trang University, the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, and the Research Institute for Aquaculture III. This provides a solid foundation for research, technology transfer, and the proactive production of many new aquatic species, as well as the improvement of advanced farming processes. The province is a major aquatic seed production area in Central Vietnam, supplying many valuable marine specialties such as tiger prawns, whiteleg prawns, lobsters, abalone, and marine fish to the whole country.

Khanh Hoa is one of the provinces with great potential for aquaculture. Photo: Kim So.

More importantly, Khanh Hoa province has received approval from the Prime Minister for a pilot project on the development of high-tech marine aquaculture in Decision No. 231/QD-TTg dated January 24, 2025. This decision is a historic milestone, creating a strong impetus for the province to form concentrated, modern industrial marine aquaculture zones, turning marine aquaculture into a large-scale commodity production industry.

Technological breakthroughs in adapting to climate change.

Aquaculture in Khanh Hoa is also facing numerous challenges, especially in the context of climate change. Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently and with increasing intensity, directly affecting marine aquaculture activities. Further challenges stem from the environment and traditional production practices. Fishermen still mainly practice traditional, small-scale farming methods, with most cages made from bamboo and wood, which cannot withstand strong waves and winds. The rapid increase in traditional cage farming in sheltered lagoons and bays is also degrading water quality, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, and causing environmental pollution.

Leaders of Khanh Hoa province visit a high-tech marine farming model. Photo: Kim So.

Mr. Vu Khac Muoi, a marine fish farmer in Dam Bay (Nha Trang), used to raise fish in 60 traditional wooden cages on Tri Nguyen Island, but this method has become outdated and ineffective. Mr. Muoi shared that the long-term use of wooden cages leads to damage, creating floating wood waste and styrofoam floats, polluting the marine environment. Furthermore, leftover food and fish waste accumulate, reducing water quality and causing disease in the fish.

Faced with this situation, Khanh Hoa province is gradually perfecting policies and mechanisms to convert traditional fish cages to new, environmentally friendly cages (HDPE, FRP) that can withstand strong waves and winds. This is a key technological breakthrough for adaptation.

In recent years, Khanh Hoa province has seen many businesses and households applying high-tech marine farming methods. Farmers use HDPE and FRP cages; apply automatic environmental monitoring equipment with sensor technology; automatic feeders; and surveillance camera systems inside the cages. This has helped reduce costs, mitigate risks from natural disasters, and control diseases.

Pilot offshore aquaculture models in Khanh Hoa have yielded significant results. The model of raising marine fish in HDPE cages in Cam Ranh Bay has achieved higher profits compared to traditional wooden cages. Average profit margins reached 172% for cobia farming, 112% for lobster farming, and 131.4% for grouper farming when using HDPE cages. The use of industrial feed in HDPE cages has minimized environmental pollution and reduced pressure on natural resources.

The model of raising marine fish in HDPE cages in Cam Ranh Bay has yielded outstanding economic results. Photo: Kim So.

HDPE cages are resistant to harsh marine environments such as large waves and strong currents, are not corroded by saltwater, do not rust, and have a long lifespan. HDPE is an inert material that does not release harmful substances into the water environment, contributing to the protection of the marine environment and creating safe seafood products for consumers.

Improving policies to encourage marine aquaculture.

Developing high-tech aquaculture is an essential direction and a long-term strategic solution to adapt to climate change and address the issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

According to the Khanh Hoa Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province is focusing on developing and perfecting policies to support and encourage the development of marine aquaculture, including accident insurance policies for workers and policies to support the conversion of traditional cages to cages made of new materials. The province has planned to invest in the construction of infrastructure for concentrated marine aquaculture areas with a total estimated investment of 500 billion VND in the period 2026 - 2030.

Accordingly, the focus will be on building a system of boundary markers and offshore stations to provide technical services, electricity, water, and internet access, creating favorable conditions for offshore industrial aquaculture. The competent authorities will also issue a set of criteria and standards for high-tech marine aquaculture cages, while promoting the allocation of sea areas for modern, industrial aquaculture.

Khanh Hoa province is expanding the model of high-tech marine aquaculture. Photo: Kim So.

In addition, the province continues to research, apply, and transfer new aquaculture techniques, prioritizing high-tech models, HDPE cages, and composite floating material technology. It promotes the development of artificial intelligence (AI) applications to analyze data, predict the growth of marine fish, monitor and adjust feed and stocking density, thereby optimizing farming processes and improving product quality. Simultaneously, it strengthens research and development of high-quality, disease-free (artificially bred) broodstock and industrial feed production for key aquaculture species to reduce dependence on natural harvesting and live feed, and protect the marine environment.

Khanh Hoa will strengthen the linkage between production, processing, and consumption. High-tech marine farming models will be linked to traceability, quality certification (VietGAP, ASC, BAP), and agreements with product consumers to ensure market access. Emphasis will be placed on building a national brand for marine farming products and expanding exports through new-generation free trade agreements. Simultaneously, efforts will be made to train highly skilled human resources in aquaculture, environmental management, technology operation, and to raise community awareness.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/nuoi-bien-cong-nghe-cao-khai-mo-tiem-nang-vuot-thach-thuc-d780726.html