Sustainable aquaculture development contributes to socio-economic development

In recent years, along with the general development of Vietnam's fisheries industry, Thai Binh fisheries have also achieved encouraging results, with rapid and sustainable development in all aspects: aquaculture, processing, management, exploitation and development of aquatic resources, management of fishing vessels and fishing logistics service facilities.

Releasing aquatic species into the wild contributes to the protection and development of aquatic resources.

65 years ago, in late March and early April 1959, President Ho Chi Minh visited fishing villages and fishermen on Tuan Chau and Cat Ba islands. Here, he taught: "Our silver sea is owned by our people". To commemorate this historical event and in accordance with the wishes of cadres, civil servants, workers and a large number of fishermen, determined to carry out his teachings, on March 18, 1995, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 173/QD-TTg officially taking April 1 every year as the traditional day of the fisheries industry.

Over the past 65 years, imbued with the teachings of President Ho Chi Minh, cadres, civil servants, workers in the fisheries sector and fishermen nationwide have actively responded, constantly strived, overcome difficulties, invested capital, human resources, applied advanced science and technology, gradually transforming from small-scale, manual, self-sufficient production to a competitive commodity production industry in the international market, bringing in large foreign currency for the country. The total annual seafood output reaches over 9 million tons, export turnover reaches over 9 billion USD, in 2022 it reached 11 billion USD, to date Vietnamese seafood products have been exported to 170 countries and territories, with nearly 1 million direct workers and about 4 million indirect workers. In particular, fisheries exploitation activities solve the livelihoods of people in coastal and island areas, contributing significantly to protecting the security and sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Mr. Hoang Minh Giang, Head of the Provincial Fisheries Sub-Department, said: Along with the general development of the Vietnamese fisheries industry, there is the contribution of Thai Binh fisheries, with the orientation of sustainable development, increasing production value associated with the protection and development of aquatic resources and ecological environment. In particular, the aquatic output in 2023 reached 289,493 tons, an increase of 253% compared to 2010 (114,506 tons), the value reached 5,942.8 billion VND, an increase of 574% compared to 2010 (1,034.89 billion VND), has contributed positively to the overall growth rate in the agricultural sector and economic development of the province. The rapid and sustainable development of the fisheries sector, especially the production force, aquaculture, fishing and fishing infrastructure, has significantly improved the economic, cultural and social life of the people. Up to now, aquaculture in localities has diversified its species and farming forms in all three types of saltwater, brackish water and fresh water, of which giant tiger prawn, white-leg shrimp and clams are the main farming species. Aquaculture output has increased from 69,706 tons in 2010 to 188,098 tons in 2023 (an increase of 2.6 times), with an average growth rate of 9.23%/year. The land area converted to aquaculture in semi-floating ponds has so far reached 172.8 hectares, an increase of 19.57 hectares over the same period in 2022. The whole province currently has 692 fish cages and 700 estuarine oyster rafts, with 26 aquaculture seed production and breeding facilities. Some farming facilities have boldly invested in advanced technology in seed production and commercial farming such as crab farming in plastic boxes and farming in canvas houses, bringing high economic efficiency.

Regarding the field of seafood exploitation, which is a long-standing traditional occupation of Thai Binh fishermen, from a private fishing profession operating in near-shore waters, the structure of vessels has now shifted towards increasing offshore fishing vessels, reducing near-shore fishing vessels, and applying mechanization to exploit aquatic products of high economic value. Implementing the central and provincial policies to support seafood exploitation has encouraged and motivated fishermen in the province to invest in building many new fishing vessels and logistics service vessels; applying advanced technology to preserve products after harvest, improving the quality and value of products; equipping and using communication equipment such as short-range radios, long-range radios, marine equipment such as AIS (automatic identification system), locators, Sonar transducers, and voyage monitoring equipment to ensure the safety of people and vehicles during seafood exploitation as well as to improve productivity and output of seafood exploitation; 35 teams have been established to support each other in catching seafood in distant waters. The whole province has 725 fishing boats, with a total engine capacity of 137,528 horsepower (an increase of 80,768 horsepower compared to 2010); the output has increased from 44.8 thousand tons in 2010 to 101,393 thousand tons in 2023 (an increase of 2.26 times, with an average growth rate of 7.5%/year).

In the field of seafood processing, Thai Binh has contributed products for domestic consumption, informally exporting many quality products such as clams, fish sauce, shrimp... Especially in recent times, the processing facilities of small and medium enterprises in the province have developed strongly, the output of processed products has increased, most production units have ensured quality, designs have been improved, and brand building and registration have been focused on. The total capacity of processing fish sauce is about 3 million liters/year, dried fish is over 3,000 tons/year, especially for clams, there are 2 processing facilities, with a capacity of about 5,000 tons/year, products have been exported to the EU market. The work of protecting and developing aquatic resources has been increasingly concerned by all levels, sectors and organizations. People's awareness is increasingly raised in complying with regulations on exploitation, protection and development of aquatic resources, especially the prevention and combat of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

In the coming time, the Thai Binh fisheries sector, under the leadership and direction of the Provincial People's Committee and the direct management of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, will continue to strongly develop freshwater, brackish water and saltwater aquaculture, especially shrimp farming in a scientific, effective and environmentally sustainable manner. Strengthening capacity and improving the efficiency of offshore fishing and exploitation, transforming occupational structure, stabilizing nearshore exploitation. Improving product processing capacity to meet the requirements of international and domestic markets; protecting and preserving the ecological environment of the sea, rivers and water, ensuring the regeneration and development of aquatic resources, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province.