Fisheries continue to be a key economic sector.

With its unique geographical location as the southernmost region of Vietnam, Ca Mau possesses a long coastline and numerous large river estuaries connecting to the sea, opening up enormous potential for the exploitation, aquaculture, and processing of seafood for export. In particular, the merger of Ca Mau and Bac Lieu provinces will create a vast space for the development of the seafood economy.

• Launching a co-management project to protect aquatic resources in Tran Van Thoi.
• Co-management and protection of aquatic resources
• Choosing seafood as a breakthrough area.

For a long time, Ca Mau and Bac Lieu provinces have stood out as two "giants" in the aquaculture and seafood processing industry, with distinct strengths that have made significant contributions to export turnover and the economic development of the region and the country as a whole.

Mr. Chau Cong Bang, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: "Ca Mau province has the largest aquaculture area in the country, reaching over 280,000 hectares. Its unique geographical location, bordering the sea, with a dense network of canals and abundant mangrove forests, creates ideal conditions for the development of intensive, super-intensive, improved extensive, and combined extensive shrimp farming models. In particular, ecological shrimp farming models, shrimp-rice farming, and shrimp-mangrove farming are increasingly expanding in area. This approach not only brings high economic efficiency to farmers but also contributes to environmental protection and the maintenance of the mangrove ecosystem, which is the 'green lung' of the region. Shrimp raised according to these standards usually have superior quality, are favored by the international market, and thus increase the value of the product. In addition, Ca Mau is also strongly developing other aquaculture species such as crabs, grouper, and blood cockles, diversifying the province's aquatic products."

The model of raising giant freshwater prawns in rice paddies is attracting a lot of attention from farmers.

According to a report from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the total output of aquaculture and fisheries in 2024 reached 647,000 tons, including 252,000 tons of shrimp; export turnover reached nearly 1.2 billion USD. In the first six months of 2025 alone, the total output of aquaculture and fisheries is estimated at 338,290 tons, an increase of 3.7% compared to the same period, including 131,427 tons of shrimp, an increase of 3.9% compared to the same period.

Harvesting freshwater prawns.

According to Mr. Chau Cong Bang: "The seafood processing and export industry in Ca Mau has made remarkable progress, with many large enterprises and modern technology meeting stringent international standards. Currently, the province has 41 large-scale seafood processing plants, applying modern technology and meeting strict international quality standards such as HACCP, BRC, ASC, and GlobalGAP. Ca Mau's frozen and processed shrimp, crab, and fish products are present in many demanding markets such as the US, EU, Japan, South Korea, China, and many other countries. Seafood export turnover in the first six months of 2025 is estimated at 551.8 million USD, equivalent to 59.6% of the plan, an increase of 20.8% compared to the same period. This growth comes not only from market expansion but also from continuous technological improvement, enhanced product quality, and diversification of product types. Processing enterprises also focus on creating innovative products." "Value-added products that meet the ever-increasing demands of global consumers."

Along with aquaculture, many seafood processing plants for export are continuously investing in modern equipment, focusing on deep processing to create added value.

Adjacent to Ca Mau, Bac Lieu is also a major player in the aquaculture industry, with over 145,000 hectares dedicated to shrimp farming. Particularly noteworthy is the thriving high-tech shrimp farming model in greenhouses, which is experiencing continuous growth in productivity and output. These models not only yield high economic returns but also contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development in the face of climate change.

In particular, Bac Lieu is considered the "cradle" of the country's high-tech shrimp breeding industry. With hundreds of breeding facilities, the province provides high-quality, disease-free shrimp larvae to the entire Mekong Delta and other provinces. The application of biotechnology and genetic engineering in shrimp breeding helps to improve productivity and the resilience of farmed shrimp.

The shrimp hatchery industry is attracting investment from businesses, expanding both in scale and area.

To further leverage its strengths after the merger, the province is focusing on developing the value chain from farming to processing and consumption, ensuring traceability, and enhancing product quality and reputation. The application of science and technology to the production process, from breeding stock and feed to disease management and post-harvest processing technology, is a key factor in increasing productivity and economic efficiency. The province encourages businesses to invest in research and development, creating new products to meet the diverse tastes of the market. Simultaneously, close collaboration between the government, scientists, businesses, and farmers will create synergy, helping the Ca Mau fisheries sector develop steadily and sustainably in the future.

With a solid foundation and clear development direction, the aquaculture and seafood processing industry will continue to be the main driving force behind the strong economic growth of Ca Mau, affirming its position as one of the leading seafood centers in Vietnam and the region.

Peak

Source: https://baocamau.vn/thuy-san-tiep-tiep-la-nganh-kinh-te-mui-nhon-a39934.html