Dam Ha: Exploiting potential for marine economic development

Dam Ha has rich natural resources, diverse ecosystems, more than 21km of coastline, over 1,954ha of tidal flats, many large and small islands... In recent times, local authorities have had many solutions to effectively exploit the potential and advantages of the locality to develop the marine economy in a sustainable direction, improving people's lives.

Comrade Nghiem Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, surveyed at Dam Ha Aquaculture and Trading Cooperative, August 2024.

Dam Ha sea area is located in a sheltered bay, with two main estuaries operating according to the tide. This place has both long coastlines and coastal lagoons, which are favorable conditions for developing aquaculture, bringing high economic value. The total aquatic product output in the first 6 months of 2024 is estimated at 7,994.7 tons, of which the aquaculture output is estimated at 5,414.5 tons. The aquaculture area in the first 6 months is estimated at 236.9 hectares.

Currently, the district has 5,656 hectares of tidal flat land and sea surface that have been updated and integrated into the approved provincial planning. However, in the past, due to a number of objective reasons, investment in infrastructure serving the development of the marine economy has been limited, only meeting the needs of the people, not meeting the large investment needs of enterprises. In that context, the district has announced a diagram and plan for using the marine space for aquaculture in Dam Ha district until 2025, with a vision to 2030. The total area for planning and mapping in the period of 2023-2024 is nearly 2,739 hectares (accounting for 48.4% of the potential planning area) in the communes of Dai Binh, Tan Lap, Dam Ha and Tan Binh.

Mr. Luong Quoc Thinh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dam Ha Commune (Dam Ha District) said: The commune has implemented the planning of the farming area with over 600 hectares, of which 400 hectares have been assigned to people for marine farming. At the same time, a cooperative with 52 members has been established and a dossier has been prepared to request the assignment of the marine area. The commune has also planned 150 hectares to attract potential investors and develop high-tech marine farming.

Excited about the policy of handing over the sea to local people, Mr. Hoang Van Chien (Dam Ha commune, Dam Ha district) shared: Recently, I have seen that the local government has been very active, encouraging and supporting people to join cooperatives, registering to receive sea areas for aquaculture in accordance with the law. The locality has the advantage of year-round marine aquaculture areas, and storms do not have much impact because it is a closed bay.

By mid-August 2024, the district had 11 cooperatives with a need to produce aquaculture at sea (948.37 hectares), mainly oysters and sea fish. The cooperatives have drawn lots, assigned farming locations to members and signed contracts with consulting units to prepare environmental impact assessment dossiers and carry out procedures according to regulations. Dam Ha district also plans to reserve about 1,300 hectares to attract businesses to invest in high-tech aquaculture. The three main areas oriented by the district for development are mollusk farming, fish cage farming and aquaculture production and breeding. In the coming time, the District People's Committee will continue to coordinate with departments, branches and specialized agencies of the province to remove difficulties and obstacles and accompany people and cooperatives to complete dossiers to request licensing for aquaculture at sea, and assign sea areas according to regulations.

Project on shrimp seed production and high-tech super-intensive commercial shrimp farming in greenhouses of Viet Uc Seafood Company Limited - Quang Ninh in Dam Ha district.

In addition, the district currently has 2 agricultural production models applying high technology in aquaculture, including: Project on producing shrimp seeds and raising commercial shrimp with high technology in greenhouses; Production of high-quality marine fish seeds. The district is actively implementing the project on applying high technology in Dam Ha aquaculture with a scale of 399.62 hectares, with a total estimated investment capital of 4,071.4 billion VND. The project has been appraised by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and submitted to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration, before reporting and submitting to the Prime Minister for approval. This is a great opportunity for the district to promote the application of science and technology in developing the marine economy and attracting potential investors with high technology content to the district.

Mr. Tran Anh Cuong, Vice Chairman of Dam Ha District People's Committee, emphasized: Completing the planning is very important but it is only the first step. The locality has identified that there is still much potential and needs to mobilize the determination of the entire political system to exploit it effectively, serving socio-economic development. Only by handing over the sea area, people, businesses, and cooperatives can sustainably raise aquatic and seafood products, aiming for export when they have registered the farming area code, earning higher profits. The district has also proposed that the Provincial People's Committee soon upgrade the infrastructure of the concentrated aquaculture area into a type 3 fishing port, handing it over to the locality for management, in order to improve operational efficiency.

In addition to aquaculture, the Dam Ha sea area also promises great potential for tourism development in the direction of combining eco-tourism and exploring the life and culture of indigenous people. Currently, a number of investors are researching and implementing projects on Da Dung Island, Van Vuoc Island, and Nui Cuong Island Resorts. With the available advantages, the right strategy for developing the marine economy, and the determination of the Party Committee, government and people of Dam Ha district, great opportunities are opening up to promote local socio-economic development, contributing to the goal of making Quang Ninh become the marine economic center of the country.

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