Tuyen Quang expands specialty fish farming on hydroelectric reservoirs

Tuyen Quang's aquaculture industry is shifting towards intensive farming, biosafety and VietGAP, expanding specialty fish farming on lake beds, creating sustainable livelihoods for people.

Tuyen Quang is aiming to develop aquaculture in a sustainable direction, adapting to climate change, linking with the production value chain and meeting the demand for safe food. With more than 18,600 hectares of water surface, of which 13,000 hectares are hydroelectric reservoirs, this locality identifies aquaculture as an important economic sector, contributing to creating jobs and increasing income for people in the reservoir area.

In recent years, Tuyen Quang's aquaculture industry has shifted strongly to intensive and semi-intensive farming, applying biosafety and VietGAP models. Farming households have been instructed to use quality breeds, reduce cage density, manage the water environment, and ensure disease safety. Thanks to that, the average yield has reached 2 tons/ha; the total aquatic product output of the province has reached nearly 13,000 tons/year, exceeding the plan.

Tuyen Quang province is gradually developing aquaculture in a stable and sustainable direction. Photo: Tu Thanh.

During that journey, many people have risen to become rich from the lake's water surface. Mr. Trinh Van Ha, in Na Hang commune (Tuyen Quang province) is one of the pioneers. Starting in 2007 with 4 fish cages, now his family has 70 cages and more than 100,000 fish fry. He said: "In the early days, the lake water was still new, I learned and worked at the same time, sometimes I was empty-handed, but the more I worked, the more I understood the water and the fish."

After many years of experimentation, in 2023, Mr. Ha switched to raising sturgeon, a valuable coldwater fish. Thanks to mastering the technique and choosing the right downstream area, where the water temperature is stable from 20 - 26 degrees Celsius. The first batch of fish grew well, with a low loss rate. Now, his sturgeon has become a specialty product of the lake area, opening a new direction for aquaculture in Na Hang.

Mr. Ha said that the potential for aquaculture in this area is still very large: "The natural conditions are favorable, with clean water all year round. If we receive more support in terms of infrastructure and market, we can expand our scale and bring Na Hang's catfish and sturgeon products further afield."

Mr. Trinh Van Ha (white shirt) introduces the cage fish farming model on Tuyen Quang hydroelectric reservoir to experts. Photo: Tu Thanh.

Realizing the effectiveness of the sturgeon farming model, many families in the area have come to learn from his experience and started building cages following Ha's method. Having a firm grasp of the techniques and understanding the characteristics of cold-water fish, Ha is ready to guide each step, from choosing the cage location, how to control the water temperature, to the care and disease prevention process. Ha said: "If I can do it, everyone can do it", so whenever anyone asks, he supports and guides, considering it a way for the whole region to develop together, no one is left behind.

Recently, the Regional Animal Husbandry and Aquaculture Station III has also coordinated with local authorities to propagate and mobilize people to switch from traditional fish farming to specialty fish species with high economic value. People have been trained in techniques, guided on VietGAP procedures, and accessed to support policies for aquaculture development according to the resolution of the Provincial People's Council.

Many models of cage fish farming and local specialty fish farming have been expanded, helping to effectively exploit potential, increase income and promote the local economy. Photo: Tu Thanh.

Although storms No. 10 and 11 recently damaged nearly 300 fish cages, thanks to experience and solidarity, people quickly restored production. In October alone, the province's total aquatic product output was estimated at more than 1,200 tons; fish seed production reached over 35 million, equal to 105% of the yearly plan.

It is known that in the period of 2025 - 2035, Tuyen Quang province will continue to diversify aquatic breeds, develop in the direction of farms, biosafety and link production with processing and consumption. At the same time, promote connection, promotion, encourage cooperatives and enterprises to invest in high technology to increase value, aiming for export.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/tuyen-quang-mo-rong-nuoi-ca-dac-san-tren-long-ho-thuy-dien-d786147.html