Raising grouper in HDPE cages meets VietGAP standards.

In Hai Phong, raising grouper in HDPE cages is both economically effective and contributes to environmental protection, job creation, and the promotion of experiential tourism at sea.

On November 24th and 25th, 2025, the Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center organized a conference to review the project " Building a model for raising pearl grouper in HDPE cages at sea, achieving VietGAP certification and linking it with product consumption" in 2025.

In the context of traditional wooden cages and styrofoam floats revealing many limitations such as rapid deterioration, easy damage, environmental pollution, and lack of safety during the rainy and stormy season, the implementation of HDPE cages has opened a new direction for marine aquaculture in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh . HDPE cages have a lifespan of 20-30 years, withstand strong waves and winds, reduce fish loss, and are environmentally friendly.

Within the framework of the Conference, delegates directly visited a field demonstration of pearl grouper farming using HDPE cages in Ban Sen area (Van Don, Quang Ninh). Photo: Huong Giang .

In addition, the species being farmed is the pearl grouper – a hybrid between the tiger grouper and the king grouper – which has a fast growth rate, is less susceptible to disease, has delicious meat quality, and high economic value. After one year of farming, the fish can reach a size of over 1.1 kg/fish, meeting the needs of both the domestic and export markets.

In 2025, the Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center implemented the project " Building a model for raising pearl grouper in HDPE cages at sea, achieving VietGAP certification and linking it with product consumption" in the Cat Hai Special Economic Zone (Hai Phong) and the Van Don Special Economic Zone (Quang Ninh), with 12,600 fingerlings and a total scale of 630 m³ of HDPE cages. Participating households received support in the form of fingerlings, feed, biological products, technical guidance, and VietGAP certification consulting.

The entire product range of this model is guaranteed to be 100% purchased by the buyer, giving farmers peace of mind in their production. Photo: Huong Giang .

The project's results in 2025 showed outstanding effectiveness across many technical and economic indicators. The fish survival rate reached 75.8%, exceeding the set target; the average harvest size was 1.125 kg/fish; and the yield reached 17 kg/m³, exceeding the initial plan by 13.3%. The total harvest reached 10,736 kg, resulting in an economic efficiency 69.8% higher than traditional farming methods.

The entire product range of the model is guaranteed to be 100% purchased, giving farmers peace of mind in their production. Notably, 100% of participating households receive guidance, assessment, and VietGAP certification; the scale of model expansion by 2025 is projected to reach 158.7%, affirming its feasibility and widespread impact within the fishing community.

In addition, training, workshops, and communication activities were implemented synchronously, including 2 model-building training courses with 40 participants, 2 replication training courses with 60 participants; and the organization of 2 site-level summary conferences and 1 project review conference.

The fish survival rate reached 75.8%, exceeding the set target; the average harvest size was 1.125 kg/fish; and the yield reached 17 kg/m³, exceeding the initial plan by 13.3%. Photo: Huong Giang .

The project also installed 36 VietGAP signage panels at the farming sites and published promotional articles, achieving 100% of the set target. These results demonstrate that the application of HDPE cages and the VietGAP process is opening up a sustainable development direction for sea bass farming in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh.

Through this model, farmers have gained access to VietGAP procedures, improved their awareness of environmental management in farming areas, reduced the use of trash fish, applied biological products, and kept complete farming logs. The application of HDPE cage technology provides peace of mind, reduces risks during storm seasons, and aligns with the strategy for developing the marine economy and protecting the environment.

Many fish farmers reported that the fish grew quickly, there were fewer diseases, the mortality rate decreased, production costs were saved, and output was stable thanks to the linkage with businesses.

The model of raising pearl grouper in HDPE cages at sea, certified under VietGAP standards, has the potential for large-scale expansion in the near future in Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and other coastal provinces. Photo: Huong Giang .

Representatives from central and local agencies highly appreciated the efforts of the Hai Phong and Quang Ninh Agricultural Extension Centers, and requested that the model be further replicated, the infrastructure of the farming areas be improved, preferential loans be provided, and linkages between farmers, businesses, and scientists be strengthened.

The project results show that the model of raising pearl grouper in HDPE cages not only brings outstanding economic efficiency but also makes a significant contribution to environmental protection, job creation, and promoting experiential marine tourism. This is a suitable, sustainable development direction with the potential for large-scale expansion in the future in Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and other coastal provinces.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/nuoi-ca-song-bang-long-hdpe-dat-vietgap-d786563.html