Vietnam boosts aquaculture

VIETNAM - The Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang is expanding aquaculture to make the most of its favourable conditions, which includes 72 km of coastline, more than 100,000 ha of land and water surface suitable for aquatic farming, and a thick web of canals.

Over the past few years, the province has considered aquaculture a top priority, second only to agriculture.

The province's aquatic product output this year is expected to surpass 100 million tonnes, 70 percent from breeding and earn an export turnover of 350 million USD, according to the provincial Aquaculture Department.

In 2005, Soc Trang posted an aquatic product output of 55,000 tonnes. Its aquatic products have been exported to 40 countries and territories in the world.

The province plans to utilise 80,000 ha of water surface by 2010, and 100,000 ha by 2015.

Soc Trang has also attached importance to developing aquaculture processing capacity alongside breeding. Its aquatic product processing industry is developing at one of the highest rates in the Mekong Delta. The province currently has nine aquatic product processing factories, with a combined annual capacity of 72,000 tonnes.

Source: Viet Nam News Agency