July 9, 2025 | 17:03 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Friday- 10:08, 08/12/2023

Disease prevention in aquaculture turns for the better: Ha Tinh takes the initiative in disease monitoring

(VAN) Carrying out periodic water quality monitoring and supervision is the best solution for early warning of epidemics, minimizing risks in production.

Although the area for aquaculture of Ha Tinh province in 2023 is only equal to the same period in 2022, reaching more than 7,400 ha, the output increases by more than 3.5%, reaching 16,800 tons.

The targets on productivity, output of freshwater and brackish water aquaculture, production and nursery of aquatic breeds have all been met and exceeded the targets set by the provincial People's Committee. These numbers demonstrate the effectiveness of the "revolution" in applying scientific and technical advances to aquaculture as well as proactively implementing measures to protect the environment and prevent epidemics.

Thanks to specialized agencies carrying out activities such as sample collection, monitoring, and early warning of diseases and environmental issues, local farmers can minimize risks in the production process. Photo: Thanh Nga.

Thanks to specialized agencies carrying out activities such as sample collection, monitoring, and early warning of diseases and environmental issues, local farmers can minimize risks in the production process. Photo: Thanh Nga.

"We often tell farmers that ensuring a stable water environment plays an extremely important role in the production cycle. Periodically before stocking seasons, the Sub-department will coordinate with functional units to monitor water samples as well as the environment of farming areas to recommend to people environmental management measures, thus preventing and minimizing risks in the production process,” Nguyen Thi Hoai Thuy, Head of Aquaculture Division (Ha Tinh Sub-Department of Fisheries) said.

This year, Ha Tinh Sub-Department of Fisheries has organized sampling and environmental inspection in 7 concentrated shrimp farming areas in 7 coastal districts, towns and Ha Tinh city. The Sub-department also worked with the Northern Center for Environmental Monitoring and Aquatic Diseases - Research Institute Aquaculture No.1 (RIA1) to take samples, monitor the environment and diseases in 3 shrimp farming areas mainly in the form of extensive farming and improved extensive farming.

Working alongside the Sub-department of Fisheries, the unit directly responsible for disease management, the Sub-department of Livestock Production and Animal Health also carries out proactive disease surveillance, especially at the beginning of the spring - summer crop and after the heavy rain season. The goal is to provide early warning and guide farmers to apply prevention and control measures.

Whether the warning is effective or not requires the coordination and compliance of farmers. Photo: Thanh Nga.

Whether the warning is effective or not requires the coordination and compliance of farmers. Photo: Thanh Nga.

On the other hand, the Sub-department of Livestock Production and Animal Health plans to consult and submit a proposal to Central about supporting Ha Tinh with 35 tons of Chlorine from the national reserve and allocating resources to localities to deploy aquatic disease prevention.

In case of spotting dead aquatic products, the Sub-Department coordinates with local authorities to promptly inspect, collect samples, diagnose the disease, supply chemicals, and provide technical guidance on disease treatment.

This year's outbreaks are detected early and handled promptly, preventing them from spreading on a large scale. Leaders of Ha Tinh Sub-department of Livestock Production and Animal Health believe that epidemics mainly occur in farmed shrimp and molluscs at present, while fish often suffer from water shock due to sudden changes in indicators.

In areas where warnings about disease, environmental and weather risks are well received before the production season, farmers can limit risks in the farming process and vice versa. Nevertheless, timely recommendations must go hand in hand with the farmer’s sense of compliance with instructions.

“In early October 2023, approximately 50 tons of seabass raised in cages on Nghen River, Thach Son commune, Thach Ha district suddenly died overnight, causing billions of VND in damage to dozens of households. The problem worth discussing is that the professional sector and the commune government had previously given out warnings and urged farmers to harvest to avoid floods, but they did not do so, leading to unfortunate losses,” said a leader of Ha Tinh Sub-Department of Fisheries.

In the long term, on the path of sustainable aquaculture development, farmers need to invest in intensive farming and high-tech farming models to effectively control diseases. Photo: Thanh Nga.

In the long term, on the path of sustainable aquaculture development, farmers need to invest in intensive farming and high-tech farming models to effectively control diseases. Photo: Thanh Nga.

During the last months of the year, the weather in Ha Tinh is unfavorable for aquaculture activities, so most farming areas only stock fish to protect ponds and lakes. Particularly in some outdoor shrimp farming areas, people focus on cleaning and disinfecting ponds to prepare for the spring - summer crop in 2024.

Ha Tinh Sub-department of Livestock Production and Animal Health recommends that in the long term, localities need to review and methodically evaluate the effectiveness of shrimp farming areas to gradually convert to intensive farming and high-tech intensive farming models. As for extensive farming areas, people should take more responsibility and supervise thoroughly to limit epidemics and apply intercropping with mullet, tilapia, and rabbitfish to clean impurities and disease vectors.

Author: Thanh Nga

Translated by Samuel Pham

    Tags:
FAO welcomes Canada’s pledge of nearly $10 million to Global Fire Management Hub

FAO welcomes Canada’s pledge of nearly $10 million to Global Fire Management Hub

(VAN) Funding following G7 Kananaskis Wildfire Charter to enhance global collaboration for integrated fire management.

Angiang deploys 1,500 ha of high-tech rice cultivation to advance carbon credit market

Angiang deploys 1,500 ha of high-tech rice cultivation to advance carbon credit market

(VAN) Astri Institute launches its Southwestern Branch in An Giang, aiming to promote smart, sustainable agriculture and advance carbon credit development in the Mekong Delta.

Low-emission sugarcane to earn revenue from carbon credit market

Low-emission sugarcane to earn revenue from carbon credit market

(VAN) The project not only enhances the sustainability and credibility of the Lam Son sugarcane value chain but also opens up opportunities to access global carbon financial resources.

Hanoi to expand habitat areas within the Huong Son Nature Reserve

Hanoi to expand habitat areas within the Huong Son Nature Reserve

(VAN) Hanoi implements a project to strengthen regional linkages and promote the sustainable exploitation and use of biodiversity resources in protected areas and natural heritage sites in the Red River Delta region.

Vietnam to scale up alternate wetting and drying methods

Vietnam to scale up alternate wetting and drying methods

(VAN) Alternate wetting and drying irrigation in rice cultivation contributes to realizing the goal of sustainable, low-emission production under the One Million Hectares of High-Quality Rice project.

Vietnam-Japan strengthen ties to mobilize climate finance for low-emission rice

Vietnam-Japan strengthen ties to mobilize climate finance for low-emission rice

(VAN) The rice cultivation model applying the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation method has demonstrated significant emission reduction efficiency and has been registered as a carbon credit project.

A launchpad for Vietnam enterprises to participate in the global Net Zero race

A launchpad for Vietnam enterprises to participate in the global Net Zero race

(VAN) The event initiated policy, technical, and financial alignment efforts, which enabled businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to proactively transition to low-emission development.

Read more