Seafood farming needs technological reform

Seafood farming in Bai Tu Long Bay, Quang Ninh province. (Source: VNA)

Khanh Hoa (VNA) – Vietnam’s seafood farming sector needs technological reform to achieve faster and more sustainable development, heard a workshop on seafood farming with the participation of representatives from ministries and 28 coastal provinces and cities.

Dr. Nguyen Quang Huy, from the Research Institute for Aquaculture I, said seafood farming needs to apply biotechnology and high technology to improve productivity, quality and use technology to improve cages, varieties and farming.

Truong Dinh Hoe, Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said aquaculture, which accounts for about 70 percent of Vietnam’s seafood exports, must ensure quality, especially in hygiene.

According to the General Fisheries Department, Vietnam has 244,000 hectares suitable for aquaculture.

Since 2010, seafood farming has developed both in terms of area and output. The farming area currently stands at 40,000 hectares with output of 308,000 tonnes, double the output in 2010.

Sea fish with an output of over 30,000 tonnes, molluscs at 269,000 tonnes and crustaceans with 8,900 tonnes, are key species in seafood farms in Vietnam.-VNA