Businesses expect flexible mechanisms from the Mariculture Conference

Awakening the potential of mariculture

Quang Ninh province possesses significant inherent advantages for the development of maritime economy and aquaculture, with over 2,000 islands, a 250-kilometer coastline stretching from Mong Cai to Quang Yen, 40,000 hectares of tidal flats, and over 20,000 hectares of bays.

With a marine area of over 6,000 square kilometers and a mariculture area of 45,000 hectares, which represents 15% of the nation's total mariculture area, Quang Ninh province has identified mariculture as a key economic sector, with a focus on the transition from "brown" to "green" economic.

Furthermore, Quang Ninh holds a strategic position in terms of political and economic geography nationwide, boasting a well-developed transportation network via road, air, and sea. Consequently, the province's infrastructure stands as significant potential and advantages for the development of mariculture and the maritime economy as a whole.

The province's total aquaculture area reached nearly 42,300 hectares in 2023. Accordingly, inland aquaculture area accounted for 32,100 hectares, and mariculture area accounted for 10,200 hectares. Additionally, the province's total yield from its fisheries sector reached over 175,000 tons, including 81,600 tons from fishing activities and 93,700 tons from aquaculture.

Despite numerous advantages, Quang Ninh's fisheries sector and its mariculture industry are unable to fully utilize the province's potential. Consequently, the mariculture industry in Quang Ninh province requires an external motivation to generate substantial economic and social values.

In response to these challenges, Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, organized the "Sustainable Mariculture Development Conference - Insights from Quang Ninh" between March 31 and April 1. Notably, the event will be held in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the traditional Fisheries sector of Vietnam (April 1, 1959 - April 1, 2024).

According to Mr. Nguyen Minh Son, General Director of the Quang Ninh province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the event aims to accelerate the implementation of Project 1664 on local mariculture. Additionally, it seeks to assess the state of global and domestic mariculture, as well as implement the planning of mariculture zones, environmental impact assessments, licensing procedures, and allocation of marine areas in the near future.

During the conference, Quang Ninh will introduce its potential, strengths, mechanisms, and policies to attract investment for the development of mariculture toward industrialization, modernization, and multi-value creation. Moreover, the province aims to solicit opinions from experts, scientists, and businesses regarding the sustainable development of mariculture in the near future.

The event will feature announcements regarding local marine areas for mariculture investment attraction. Notably, the conference will host the signing of Memorandums of Understanding for cooperation in mariculture development between the province and strategic investors. Participants of the conference can also discuss solutions to address legal challenges in the implementation of mariculture.

Businesses have high expectations from the conference

Thang Loi Fisheries Cooperative in Thang Loi commune, Van Don district, Quang Ninh province was established in 2023. However, its members are experienced in aquaculture.

Mr. Tran Van Bao, Director of Thang Loi Fisheries Cooperative, shared: "We are currently investing in mariculture in Van Don district, Quang Ninh province. Our target species for mariculture include various types of fish such as grouper, bass, and shellfish such as oysters and clams. Quang Ninh possesses great potential for mariculture development. We hope that after the "Sustainable Mariculture Development Conference, Insights from Quang Ninh" on April 1, the government will support the local community in product consumption, develop logistics systems with a focus on exports to increase economic value and income for local farmers."

Mr. Ngo Hung Dung, Director of Tan An Seafood Joint Stock Company, emphasized the need for prompt and flexible policies to encourage farmers to engage in mariculture, and provide them access to mariculture areas, thereby promoting sustainable livelihoods and economic development.

"In addition, we hope to receive guidance on standardized mariculture processes to achieve optimal results and maximum yield per unit area," Mr. Dung stated.

With seven years of experience in the coastal area of Van Don district, Quang Ninh province, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Binh, CEO of STP Group, shared: "The theme 'Mariculture: Sustaining Ocean Life for Future Generations' motivates us introduce the conference to our seaweed products. These products hold immense social values; namely, they contribute to marine environmental improvement and carbon reduction. Vietnam, with its extensive coastline, offers numerous suitable regions for the production of various types of seaweed. However, to successfully bring these products to market, we must establish a production chain, which we have successfully piloted. With this conference, we aim to encourage Quang Ninh province and other coastal provinces to adopt the seaweed farming model throughout Vietnam's coastal areas."

Following the approval of Quang Ninh province's master plan by the Prime Minister, which designates Quang Ninh as the center for fisheries within Northern Vietnam, the province has formulated strategies, resolutions, and policies to develop its maritime economy and mariculture.

In 2023, Quang Ninh province focused on improving its management of the marine environment. Accordingly, the province's marine environment has benefitted significantly from the use of environmentally friendly materials, and adherence to high mariculture operation standards. Additionally, the province has researched and developed policies tailored to its local characteristics based on government and central regulations, thereby encouraging local residents, businesses, and investors to engage in mariculture.

Vietnam, a country with three sides bordering the sea, is naturally endowed with advantages for the development of maritime economy and mariculture. In recognition of this potential, the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have identified mariculture as a prioritized focal point. This development orientation has been established with Decision No. 1664 issued by the Prime Minister on October 4, 2021, approving the "Project for the Development of Mariculture until 2030, with a vision towards 2045."

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Quang Ninh province will organize the "Sustainable Mariculture Development Conference - Insights from Quang Ninh" on April 1. The conference is chaired by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan and the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council of Quang Ninh province Nguyen Xuan Ky. The conference is expected to attract 400 to 450 domestic and international participants.

The event will be broadcast live by the Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper on multiple media platforms.

You can participate in the conference via Zoom ID: 939 8269 4473; Password: 202404.