Gain momentum for 2024

Although the weather last year was not very favorable, fuel for sea trips was still high, and fishermen's lives were still difficult, the Binh Thuan fisheries industry still tried to complete the set plans. This is a good sign for the fisheries industry, creating momentum to achieve the targets in 2024.

There are many advantages

Over the past years, Binh Thuan people have developed their economy mainly based on abundant aquatic resources with high economic value. In 2023, the situation of marine aquatic exploitation in the province is relatively favorable. Developing offshore aquatic exploitation effectively and sustainably on the basis of gradually reducing exploitation intensity and organizing good fishing logistics services. In 2023, the output of exploited aquatic products reached more than 235,000 tons, an increase of 1.7% compared to 2022. In addition, the work of protecting, regenerating and developing aquatic resources associated with biodiversity conservation and livelihoods of fishing communities has been strengthened. The provincial Fisheries Surveillance force continues to strengthen patrols at sea, promptly prevent and strictly handle fishing vessels operating prohibited fishing activities, trawlers operating in the wrong areas, using destructive fishing methods, and aquatic resources continue to be maintained. In particular, the provincial Department of Fisheries has strengthened and promoted the effectiveness of co-management models in protecting aquatic resources in 3 communes of Tan Thanh, Tan Thuan, Thuan Quy - Ham Thuan Nam district (3 community organizations/288 households/814 members are granted the right to manage the sea area of ​​43.4 km2). The province is surveying and assessing the conditions of coastal areas to develop a project to replicate the co-management model in protecting aquatic resources in the coastal waters of the province, contributing to protecting and restoring aquatic resources and coastal ecosystems associated with stabilizing the livelihoods of the fishing community.

Southern fish season. Photo: N.Lan

At the same time, the province has increased aquaculture with more than 3,000 hectares of intensive, industrial development, and diversified farming species associated with environmental protection; in which shrimp seed production is the province's development advantage due to favorable natural factors such as climate, water quality, etc. In particular, brackish water aquaculture has developed in the direction of diversifying farming species to meet market demand, focusing mainly on shrimp farming, especially white-leg shrimp; freshwater aquaculture focuses on developing a variety of economic farming species: sturgeon, eel, snakehead fish, snakehead fish, etc. Currently, aquaculture is concentrated in the areas of Ham Tan, Tuy Phong, Bac Binh, Phan Thiet, Ham Thuan Nam, 2/3 of this area can be used for intensive and semi-intensive shrimp farming, concentrated in Ham Tan (340.2 hectares) and Tuy Phong (445.5 hectares). In addition, there are 5 large and small bays that are very favorable for cage and raft farming of various species such as lobster, grouper, clams, scallops, pearl oysters, etc. Marine aquaculture in Phu Quy and Tuy Phong districts is developing strongly, focusing on farming some species with economic value such as grouper, lobster, cobia, etc. with an output of about 120 tons/year.

Cage aquaculture in Phu Quy (photo: N. Lan)

Efforts to overcome difficulties

Along with fishing and aquaculture, Binh Thuan province has focused on seafood processing. The seafood processing industry has gradually invested in technology innovation, improved product designs and quality, to meet the increasingly high demands of the market. Many enterprises have invested in building quality management systems according to HACCP and ISO standards. To date, the province has 212 seafood processing and primary processing facilities certified to meet food safety conditions; of which, 22 enterprises export seafood to the markets of China, Korea, the US, Japan, the EU, and ASEAN. The main seafood products for export are marine fish, squid, octopus, and bivalve mollusks.

However, the situation of seafood exploitation activities still faces many difficulties, fuel prices are still high, the selling price of seafood products increases disproportionately, while the cost for each sea trip is still high, so the life of fishermen still faces many difficulties. Besides, the situation of shrimp seed production in the province in 2023 has many obstacles, due to the decrease in the market for shrimp seed consumption nationwide, shrimp seed production activities are stagnant, many facilities have temporarily stopped production. The situation of commercial shrimp farming in the province is also in a similar situation, due to many changes in weather conditions, shrimp is difficult to raise, investment costs for shrimp farming increase, farming efficiency is low, so shrimp farmers limit releasing shrimp seed.

Strive to achieve the set target of aquatic product exploitation output in 2024. (Photo: N. Lan)

In 2024, strive to achieve 210,000 tons of aquatic product exploitation output. To complete the set target, the agricultural sector plans to restructure the offshore fishing fleet associated with aquatic product exploitation services. Continue to develop modern and sustainable offshore fishing, contributing to protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands. Coordinate with related sectors to continue to consolidate and establish models of teams, cooperation, and aquatic product exploitation enterprises associated with logistics services at sea. Implement well the management of fishing vessels in the province, strive for 100% of fishing vessels to be registered, reduce the number of fishing vessels in coastal and offshore areas; implement management and grant fishing licenses according to quotas. At the same time, promote the application of advanced preservation technology on fishing vessels to reduce losses and increase the value of products after exploitation... Regarding the field of aquaculture, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said that it will develop a farming plan suitable to local conditions, develop aquaculture in the direction of diversifying farming objects (fresh, brackish, salty); promote marine aquaculture with species of high economic value. Improve the quality of shrimp seeds, strive for shrimp seed output to reach 25.5 billion post. Maintain the brand of Binh Thuan shrimp seeds, affirm the position of the national shrimp seed supply center...

Mr. VAN

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/thuy-san-binh-thuan-lay-da-cho-nam-2024-116231.html