Ca Mau proactively responds to heatwave, shrimp farmers secure profits

Since the start of 2026, prolonged heatwaves combined with complex saltwater intrusion have affected aquaculture across Ca Mau province. However, thanks to proactive environmental monitoring, flexible crop-scheduling adjustments, and appropriate technical measures, most farming areas have maintained stable production. Many households continue to achieve positive economic returns.

According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province’s total shrimp farming area is estimated at 418,000 hectares, of which approximately 410,356 hectares are currently under cultivation. Despite adverse weather conditions, the local aquaculture sector has continued to record positive growth. Farmed shrimp output has reached roughly 215,000 tons.

Nearly 3,800 hectares of aquaculture damaged due to adverse weather conditions

Reports from the Ca Mau Sub-Department of Fisheries show that hot weather affects aquaculture every year during this period. The main reason is that some improved extensive farming areas, which heavily depend on natural conditions, have suffered from water shortages and unstable pond environments due to rising salinity.

The province records nearly 3,800 hectares of aquaculture areas affected or damaged, accounting for around 0.9% of the total aquaculture area. Most of the damaged areas experienced losses below 30%. The affected areas were mainly concentrated in several localities, including Dat Moi commune, Ho Thi Ky commune, Ly Van Lam ward, and Gia Rai ward.

The Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Environment establishes two inspection teams to conduct on-site surveys of key shrimp farming areas and regions heavily affected by extreme weather. The goal is to promptly assess the situation and direct response measures against heatwaves and saltwater intrusion.

The inspection team, led by To Hoai Phuong, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, surveys the communes of Phong Hiep, Vinh Hau, Hoa Binh, Vinh Loc, Ninh Thanh Loi, and Dat Moi. Another team led by Pham Van Muoi, Deputy Director of the Department, surveys the communes of Hiep Thanh, Vinh Trach, Dam Doi, Ta An Khuong, Tan Thuan, Tri Phai, along with several affected farming areas.

Proactive adaptation

Through field surveys, technical agencies promptly record production conditions and guide farmers on environmental management, disease prevention, and suitable production adjustments in response to weather conditions. At the same time, many households proactively implement adaptation measures such as regulating pond water levels, adding probiotics to improve pond conditions, reducing stocking density, increasing bottom aeration, and harvesting early to minimize risks and stabilize production.

“My family operates more than 4 hectares of shrimp ponds. Due to prolonged heat and limited water supply during the peak dry season, part of the farming area was affected, forcing the family to harvest early to reduce losses. However, thanks to proactive management, they were still able to cover production costs and earn a modest profit,” Ngo Minh Thuy, a farmer in hamlet 1B, Phong Hiep commune, said.

Many households in Phong Hiep commune are in a similar situation. Although productivity seems low compared to more favorable years, stable shrimp prices combined with timely harvesting still allow them to maintain efficiency and recover enough to farm the next crop.

According to officials from the Phong Hiep Public Utility Center, the commune currently has more than 10,250 hectares of aquaculture. Recently, heatwaves have affected some shrimp farming areas sporadically, but no widespread losses have been recorded. Most farmers have maintained production, with yields ranging from 100 to 170 kg per hectare and profits reaching VND 10 - 15 million/hectare/crop. Farmers have already stocked more than 80% of the area for the second crop.

Farmers in Vinh Phuoc commune also proactively harvest early when pond conditions become unfavorable to reduce risks. Ecological production models such as shrimp-rice and improved extensive natural farming have continued to demonstrate strong adaptability to extreme weather conditions.

Luu Van Quang, a resident of Phuoc Ninh hamlet, Vinh Phuoc commune, said his family is farming more than 2 hectares using an improved extensive model that combines two shrimp crops and one rice crop. During production, the family applies a two-stage shrimp farming process, using post-nursery shrimp seed that has been acclimatized to improve survival rates and environmental adaptability.

The family also focuses on biological farming methods, increasing the use of probiotics to stabilize water quality, create natural pond coloration, and promote natural feed sources for shrimp. Thanks to compatibility with local natural conditions and good adaptability to extreme weather, the current shrimp crop continues to deliver positive economic returns.

During surveys in Vinh Loc commune, the inspection team noticed that many farms of Ba Dinh Cooperative continued to perform well despite unfavorable weather. Farmers harvest average yields of 300 - 350 kg per hectare.

Dam Doi commune in particular has more than 8,000 hectares of aquaculture, with more than 7,000 hectares used for extensive and improved extensive shrimp farming, while super-intensive shrimp farming covers 456 hectares. Total seafood output in the first four months of the year exceeded 11,432 tons, including over 8,900 tons of shrimp.

The improved extensive shrimp farming model in the locality continues to produce relatively high yields despite climate challenges. The shrimp farm of Le Van Quet, a member of Tan Duyet Cooperative in Tan Thanh hamlet, serves as a prime example. With more than 4 hectares of shrimp ponds, he has harvested over 2 tons of shrimp since the beginning of 2026, earning more than VND 300 million.

Besides maintaining efficient production, Quet actively shares farming experience and technical support with cooperative members and neighboring farmers. Thanks to support from technical agencies and practical experience in pond environmental management, many local households continue to maintain relatively high profits, with some harvests generating VND 20 - 30 million.

According to Pham Van Muoi, Deputy Director of the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Environment, the transition period from the dry to the rainy season is when pond conditions fluctuate sharply, increasing the risk of disease in shrimp and crabs if not managed properly. Therefore, technical agencies recommend that farmers regularly monitor water parameters such as temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen for timely intervention.

Farmers should strengthen technical measures, such as maintaining appropriate water levels, using probiotics to improve pond conditions, and supplementing vitamins and minerals to enhance shrimp immunity and reduce disease outbreaks.

One solution considered effective by many farmers during the hot season is the installation of bottom aeration systems for shrimp ponds. “These systems help increase dissolved oxygen and reduce toxic gas accumulation under high temperatures, thereby improving shrimp survival rates,” Nong Van Thach said.

$ 1 = VND 26,382 - Source: Vietcombank.