Fish farming in cages around Hon Chuoi Island.

Hon Chuoi Island is located approximately 33 km southwest of the mainland, in Hamlet 1, Song Doc town, Tran Van Thoi district. The island covers a total area of 70 hectares, with a sea area of 1,928 km2 suitable for fishing and aquaculture, especially cage farming of grouper. There are 46 households living on the island, many of whom are engaged in cage farming of grouper, achieving high economic efficiency.

Báo Cà Mau•19/02/2025

Ensuring forest safety on Hon Chuoi Island
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The practice of raising grouper in cages on Hon Chuoi Island requires placing the cages in the narrowest areas, bays, or on the back of the island, avoiding strong waves and winds that could damage the cages and wash away the feed.

Pioneers in cage farming of grouper on Hon Chuoi Island included Mr. Le Van Ut, Mr. Le Van Du, and Ms. Huynh Thuy Kieu... Initially, they experimented with a few cages, and seeing the profit, they gradually expanded. Now, each household has dozens of cages raising thousands of fish fry, bringing high profits; from this, a vibrant grouper farming village has formed on this strategically important island.

Lieutenant Colonel Doan Cong Nghiep, Commander of Hon Chuoi Border Guard Station, informed: "Raising grouper in cages is one of the main occupations of the people on the island, and the model brings high economic efficiency. Currently, grouper in cages is priced at 175,000 VND/kg, so farmers are making a high profit."

Locals usually buy fresh, low-quality fish from fishermen around the island to feed the grouper. When the fish reach a weight of 1-2 kg/each or more, they can be fed whole low-quality fish measuring 10-15 cm.

Currently, there are nearly 30 households on the island raising about 200 cages, with tens of thousands of juvenile grouper fish. This type of fish is suitable for farming in sheltered waters, so the islanders move the cages around the island according to the seasons to avoid strong waves and winds, which is very hard work.

To ensure the thriving development of cobia farming, we earnestly hope that relevant authorities will provide technical support, capital investment, and guaranteed market access, helping the islanders feel secure in their production, develop their economy, and contribute alongside the authorities in protecting the sovereignty of the nation's maritime borders and islands.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhut (on the right), Secretary of the Tran Van Thoi District Party Committee, surveys the model of cage fish farming around Hon Chuoi Island.