Developing the fisheries sector in a coordinated manner.

Việt Nam•24/10/2023

Looking back at the first half of the term implementing the Resolution of the 14th Provincial Party Congress, the marine economy sector, including the fisheries industry, has made quite comprehensive progress. The average growth rate of the fisheries sector reached 5.13% per year, exceeding the target by 1.13%; the fisheries economy plays a core role, accounting for 57% of the entire agricultural sector.

The Resolution of the 14th Provincial Party Congress, term 2020-2025, sets out the goal of developing a comprehensive system of fishing and aquaculture, strongly oriented towards the sea, developing marine farming linked with seafood processing; restructuring the fishing industry towards offshore fishing, efficiency, and sustainability, contributing to the protection of national defense and security in the country's sea and islands; building Ninh Thuan into a national center for high-quality shrimp seed production; investing in completing the infrastructure of concentrated seed production areas according to regulations. Organizing dredging of waterways and anchorage areas at fishing ports to ensure safety; and providing good support services for the fishing industry.

Seafood purchasing activities at My Tan Fishing Port, Thanh Hai commune (Ninh Hai). Photo: Van Ny

To concretize the Resolution of the Provincial Party Congress, the Provincial People's Committee has focused on directing investment in infrastructure serving the exploitation, cultivation, and processing of aquatic products. Through the Sustainable Aquaculture Development Program and the Socio-Economic Development Program for the regions, in the period 2021-2023, investments were made in the storm shelter and anchorage area at the Cai River estuary (Dong Hai, Phan Rang - Thap Cham City), Ca Na (Thuan Nam), upgrading My Tan fishing port (Ninh Hai), the Aquaculture Seed Experimental Farm, and a fisheries patrol vessel construction project with a total cost of over 60.2 billion VND. To achieve the goal of building Ninh Thuan into a national center for high-quality shrimp seed production, the province prioritizes investment in completing the infrastructure of the An Hai, Nhon Hai, and Son Hai aquaculture seed production areas; promoting the application of science and technology , especially microbial technology, genetic selection technology, and water treatment technology to improve the quality of shrimp seeds. Building and developing forms of cooperation and linkages between small and medium-sized enterprises in the production and consumption of shrimp larvae, ensuring the maintenance of brand reputation and competitiveness of "Ninh Thuan Shrimp Larvae" products.

Currently, the province has 27 shrimp seed production enterprises applying high technology; 100% of shrimp seed production facilities have been certified as meeting the requirements for shrimp seed production and rearing; 100% of facilities are monitored for disease safety, including 12 facilities that have been certified as disease-free. Most members of the Ninh Thuan Shrimp Seed Association use the certified label "Ninh Thuan Shrimp Seed" on their packaging for traceability, brand promotion, and to affirm their reputation in the market. The estimated shrimp seed production in 2023 reached 40.838 billion post-larvae, ensuring a portion of the broodstock for seed production to meet market demand.

Significant results have also been achieved in restructuring the marine fisheries sector towards offshore fishing. During the 2021-2023 period, the province focused on adjusting the structure of offshore fishing to comply with the quotas in Decision No. 1223/QD-BNN-TCTS of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; and inshore and coastal fishing according to the quotas in Decision No. 2376/QD-UBND of the Provincial People's Committee, while implementing measures to combat illegal fishing. Emphasis was placed on implementing the "Regulations on the Organization and Operation of Offshore Fishing Solidarity Groups Combining Economic Activities with the Protection of Maritime Sovereignty in Ninh Thuan Province". Fishermen were guided to organize production activities in distant waters using the model of offshore solidarity groups, with 170 groups/810 vessels, to save costs, improve operational efficiency, and reduce risks when operating in distant waters. Connecting fishing ground forecast bulletins to solidarity groups during fishing operations. Estimated catch for 2023 reached nearly 130,300 tons, exceeding the target by more than 20,000 tons, with production value increasing by an average of 4.33% per year during the 2021-2023 period.

In the aquaculture sector, significant achievements include the reorganization of production towards marine farming, prioritizing deep-water areas and applying high technology such as temperature and salinity sensors and automatic feeding systems. Simultaneously, the traditional shrimp farming is gradually being reduced in favor of high-economic-value seafood specialties such as abalone, marine fish, and lobster. Aquaculture in the Dam Nai lagoon area is being reorganized to gradually reduce density and scale, structuring it into a sustainable ecological farming zone. A common model is the ecological aquaculture of marine specialties combined with mangrove reforestation along the Dam Nai lagoon dike. To date, there are 17 facilities for farming abalone in indoor tanks covering 92.6 hectares; 5 facilities for industrial-scale shrimp farming in two stages using covered HDPE circular tanks covering 8 hectares; and 4 HDPE circular cages for marine fish farming covering 0.2 hectares. Thanks to the application of science and high technology, the value of aquaculture production increased by an average of 2.38% per year during the 2021-2023 period.

Technical staff of Rang Dong Aquatic Seed Production Co., Ltd. in Nhon Hai commune (Ninh Hai district).

Checking the quality of the fry in the breeding tank. Photo: V.Nỷ

Currently, the province has 212 seafood processing facilities certified as meeting food safety standards, including large enterprises such as Thong Thuan Seafood Co., Ltd., which has invested in an export shrimp processing plant in Thanh Hai Industrial Park (Phan Rang Thap Cham City). The company is effectively utilizing the EVFTA agreement to strongly export frozen shrimp to the EU and US markets, thereby striving to achieve export revenue exceeding 120 million USD in 2023.

Continuing to implement the Resolution of the 14th Provincial Party Congress, in the remaining two years of the term, the Provincial People's Committee directs the focus on building Ninh Thuan into a national center for high-quality shrimp seed production; prioritizing the development of high-tech industrial shrimp farming and other advantageous species. Restructuring the marine fisheries sector, encouraging investment in modern equipment for offshore fishing vessels, linked with the development of marine service models, and expanding fishing grounds; reorganizing towards gradually reducing the intensity of fishing in coastal and inshore areas. Striving to achieve a catch output of over 134,000 tons and shrimp seed production of over 44 billion by 2025.

Mr. Tung

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