Workshop discusses sustainable lobster farming in central Vietnam

A workshop on sustainable lobster farming takes place in Khanh Hoa on April 13. (Photo: VNA)

Khanh Hoa (VNA) – A workshop on sustainable lobster farming took place in Nha Trang city, the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa on April 13, bringing together policymakers, researchers, business representatives and farmers from central provinces of Quang Ngai, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan.

The attendees focused their discussion on lobster farming-related policies, post-disaster support for the aquaculture industry, new lobster farming techniques and how to prevent the spread of diseases on lobsters.

According to the Directorate of Fisheries, the number of lobster cages in Vietnam rose from 49,000 in 2010 to 83,000 in 2017. The country’s lobster output was estimated at about 1,530 tonnes last year, mostly from Khanh Hoa (984 tonnes) and Phu Yen (500 tonnes). However, lobster price fell from 2.5 million VND (110 USD) in 2014 to 1.6 million VND (70.4 USD) this year.

Speaking at the event, Tran Cong Khoi from the Directorate of Fisheries said the unsustainable development of lobster farming will result in a low and unstable yield. Despite high economic value, the sector faces many challenges in planning and management, he noted, adding that the increase in the density of lobster cages and the expansion of lobster farming in tourist and industrial areas are among the sector’s problems.

He also named other issues like old and non-ecofriendly farming practices and lack of links between farmers and traders.

Khanh Hoa is home to over 40,000 lobster cages while Quang Ngai has started breeding lobsters in recent years with about 400 cages over an area of 2,000 sq.m.

Phu Yen is one of the biggest lobster breeders in Vietnam and the success of the lobster industry here has helped improve incomes of local farmers.