Raising grouper in HDPE cages meets VietGAP standards

Hai Phong Grouper farming in HDPE cages not only brings economic efficiency but also contributes to environmental protection, creates jobs, and promotes experiential tourism at sea.

On November 24 and 25, 2025, Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center held a conference to review the Project " Building a model of grouper farming (pearl grouper) using HDPE cages at sea with VietGAP certification associated with product consumption" in 2025.

In the context of traditional wooden cages and foam buoys showing many limitations such as rapid degradation, easy damage, environmental pollution and lack of safety during stormy season, the implementation of HDPE cage model has opened a new direction for marine farming in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh . HDPE cages have a durability of 20 - 30 years, can withstand strong winds and waves, limit fish loss and are friendly to the marine environment.

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

Along with that, the farming object is grouper (pearl grouper) - a hybrid between tiger grouper and king grouper with fast growth rate, few diseases, good meat quality and high economic value. After 1 year of farming, the fish can reach a size of over 1.1 kg/fish, well meeting the demand of domestic and export markets.

In 2025, the Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center implemented the Project " Building a model of raising grouper (pearl grouper) in HDPE cages at sea with VietGAP certification associated with product consumption" in Cat Hai special zone (Hai Phong) and Van Don special zone (Quang Ninh), with 12,600 fry, total scale of 630 m³ HDPE cages. Households participating in the model were supported with seeds, feed, biological products, technical guidance and VietGAP certification consultation.

All products of the model are 100% guaranteed, helping farmers feel secure in production. Photo: Huong Giang .

The project implementation results in 2025 showed outstanding efficiency in 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; the yield reached 17 kg/m³, exceeding the original plan by 13.3%. The total harvest output reached 10,736 kg, bringing economic efficiency 69.8% higher than the traditional farming method.

All products of the model are 100% guaranteed, helping farmers feel secure in production. Notably, 100% of participating households are instructed, assessed and granted VietGAP certification; the scale of replication of the model in 2025 will reach 158.7%, affirming its feasibility and influence in the fishing community.

Along with that, training, coaching and communication work were deployed synchronously, including 2 model building training classes with 40 trainees, 2 replication training classes with 60 trainees; 2 summary conferences and 1 project review conference were organized.

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

The project also installed 36 VietGAP billboards at farming sites and posted propaganda articles, achieving 100% of the set target. These results demonstrate that the application of HDPE cages and VietGAP procedures is opening up a sustainable development direction for grouper farming at sea in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh.

Through the model, farmers have been exposed to the VietGAP process, raised awareness of environmental management in farming areas, reduced the use of trash fish, applied biological products and kept full farming logs. The application of HDPE cage technology creates peace of mind, reduces risks during storm seasons, and is consistent with the strategy of developing the marine economy and protecting the environment.

Many farmers said that fish grow quickly, have few diseases, have reduced loss rates, save production costs and have stable output thanks to the connection with businesses.

The model of raising grouper (pearl grouper) in HDPE cages at sea, which has been certified by VietGAP, has the potential to expand on a large scale in the near future in Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and other coastal provinces. Photo: Huong Giang .

Representatives of central and local agencies highly appreciated the efforts of the Hai Phong and Quang Ninh Agricultural Extension Centers, and proposed to continue replicating the model, improving farming infrastructure, supporting preferential loans and strengthening links between farmers - businesses - scientists.

The project results show that the grouper farming model using HDPE cages not only brings outstanding economic efficiency but also contributes significantly to environmental protection, job creation and promotion of experiential tourism at sea. This is a suitable and sustainable development direction and has the potential to expand on a large scale in the near future in Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and other coastal provinces.

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