Importing yellowfin pompano for high income

In order to continuously improve the efficiency per unit area in the field of aquaculture, in recent years, the Quang Tri Agricultural Extension Center has conducted trials on raising many types of aquatic products to select and supplement the aquaculture breeds in the province and bring high economic efficiency. Yellowfin pomfret is a new species that the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center has introduced for trial farming in the form of implementing the task of implementing the provincial scientific project "Building a pilot model for intensive farming of yellowfin pomfret according to VietGAP standards associated with product consumption".

The yellowfin pompano farming model in Hai An commune, Hai Lang achieved results exceeding requirements - Photo: TCL

Up to now, the model has achieved initial successes, opening up many prospects for a new aquaculture.

Mr. Vo Chi Thang's household in Thuan Dau village, Hai An commune, Hai Lang district was selected for a trial farming from 2023 with an area of 2,000 m2. The number of 6,000 yellowfin pompano fry was released at a density of 3 fish/m2. This is the pond area where Mr. Thang's family previously raised white-leg shrimp, but in recent years, there have been continuous epidemics leading to losses.

Implementing the experimental yellowfin pompano farming model, Mr. Thang was supported by the Quang Tri Agricultural Extension Center with 100% of the cost of seeds, food and training on farming techniques. At the end of the farming season, the fish reached 0.7 - 0.8 kg/fish, with a survival rate of nearly 80%. The harvested output was over 3.2 tons. With the current selling price of about 150 - 170 thousand VND/kg, after deducting costs, the model brings in a profit of about 160 million VND.

From the successful pilot model in Hai An commune, the yellowfin pomfret farming model has now been replicated by farmers to coastal districts of the province. Although yellowfin pomfret is a new farming species, the technique is not difficult compared to many other aquatic species, it is less susceptible to diseases, resistant to environmental changes, has low feed costs, and develops quite quickly. Therefore, raising yellowfin pomfret limits risks and farmers also have less hardship.

However, to ensure disease safety for fish, when raising yellowfin pompano, farmers also pay attention to pond renovation, treatment of pathogens and harmful microorganisms; arrange adequate water fans to ensure oxygen for fish. Pond depth must be 1.5 m or more.

According to the experience of some breeders, yellowfin pompano live and feed on the surface, so they add a few bottom-dwelling fish to use up all the natural food sources in the pond and at the same time clean the pond.

Director of Quang Tri Agricultural Extension Center Tran Can said: Yellowfin pomfret is a newly imported species, so the experimental breeding process is closely monitored and managed by technical staff. The fry ensure quality according to requirements. Pond treatment and environmental factors control during the breeding season are well implemented, so the fish grow quickly, exceeding the requirements, giving high productivity, about 16 tons/ha. Yellowfin pomfret is popular with consumers, so people have quickly replicated this model, bringing high economic efficiency, with profits of about 700 million VND/ha.

Based on the results of the provincial scientific research project, Quang Tri Agricultural Extension Center continues to perfect the technical process of intensive farming of yellowfin pompano in accordance with VietGAP standards and expand it to other localities in the province.

This is a new production direction opened for the province's aquaculture farmers, especially in the coastal area - where white-leg shrimp farming used to be strongly developed, but in recent years it has been continuously affected by diseases, so the efficiency is not high, even causing losses. The adaptation of yellowfin pompano will develop well in this coastal aquaculture area, bringing high efficiency to farmers.

Diversifying saltwater and brackish water aquaculture in coastal and estuarine areas is a sustainable aquaculture development direction, less dependent on one species and reducing pressure on marine exploitation. Currently, the demand for yellowfin pompano consumption in the province and outside is quite large. Therefore, the farming of this type of fish is not under pressure on product output.

From there, aquaculture farmers also increased their income and developed sustainable production. The results of the model implementation are a practical basis that not only confirms the success of the scientific project of the Quang Tri Agricultural Extension Center but also serves as a basis for the center to advise the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on policies to support and expand the model of raising yellowfin pompano into the province's main aquaculture species, exploiting the strengths of aquaculture and meeting the increasing demand for fish consumption of consumers in and outside the province.

Tran Cat Linh

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