The northern province of Son La has a total aquaculture farming area of over 2,530 hectares, with output reaching 3,220 tonnes, said the provincial Aquaculture Division.

Besides traditional freshwater fish farming method, the province has also promoted sturgeon farming in cages on the Son La hydropower’s reservoir.

With over 10,000 hectares of reservoir water surface, Quynh Nhai district has encouraged and supported local households to try cage farming.

The district now has seven active aquaculture cooperatives and 218 fish cages in communes of Chieng Bang, Muon Giang, and Chieng On. Chairwoman of Hanh Loi aquaculture cooperative Vu Thi Loi said as one of the first units to raise sturgeon in the province, the cooperative has invested in 32 fish cages since 2011, selling about 10 tonnes of fish every year, mostly sturgeon and tilapia.

According to Chairman of Muong La district’s People Committee Nguyen Thanh Cong, the district is assisting ethnic people living along the reservoirs to develop aquaculture by providing fund under the government’s 30a programme.

To date, Muong La district has developed 125 cages, contributing to increase income for local people, he added.

Son La has two big hydro power reservoirs, posing a great potential for aquaculture development, particularly cage fish farming.-VNA