Fisheries sector expands high-tech adoption to cut costs and boost productivity

The statement was made by Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Ninh, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, at the 2026 National Fisheries Science, Technology and Fisheries Surveillance Conference organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Ho Chi Minh City on April 28.

Science and technology applied across 90% of aquaculture areas

According to Dr. Ninh, the 2021 - 2025 period marked a major phase of development in scientific and technological research in fisheries and fisheries surveillance.

A total of 113 science and technology projects were implemented during the period, covering a broad range of fields including biotechnology, selective breeding, aquaculture, capture fisheries, post-harvest preservation and processing. The research portfolio included ministry-level projects, key national assignments, potential research programs, pilot production projects, and initiatives focused on conservation and genetic resource development.

Of the 113 projects managed by the ministry, 60 have so far been completed and accepted, including two key ministry-level projects, 19 ministry-level projects, 20 potential research programs, 15 pilot production projects and four genetic resource initiatives.

At the same time, technical advances and technological processes that have been researched, refined and widely transferred into production have significantly improved the efficiency of aquaculture and fisheries exploitation.

Advanced farming technologies such as intensive and super-intensive farming, recirculating aquaculture systems, biological products and environmental monitoring technologies have been widely adopted, helping reduce costs, increase productivity and limit negative environmental impacts.

In marine capture fisheries, the application of modern technologies has not only improved economic efficiency but also enhanced safety for fishers, reduced pressure on natural resources and promoted responsible fishing practices.

Research outcomes have now been applied extensively in production, covering around 90% of aquaculture areas and output nationwide.

These scientific and technological applications have helped maintain stable annual growth in the fisheries sector at around 4 - 5% annually, while increasing incomes, supporting local economic development and strengthening social welfare.

Effective farming models and technological solutions in preservation, processing and harvesting have contributed to positive structural changes, steering the fisheries sector toward modernization, sustainability and greater resilience to climate change.

To date, research institutions have successfully developed 12 new breeds and recognized 27 technical innovations that have been transferred into commercial production.

The focus has been on breeding shrimp and fish varieties with faster growth rates, disease resistance and climate resilience. Selective breeding programs for giant freshwater prawns have achieved efficiency gains of more than 20% across multiple production facilities in the Mekong Delta.

These shrimp and fish varieties have been produced and supplied in the millions to hatcheries and farming operations in key production regions such as the Mekong Delta and the South Central Coast.

Research institutions have also developed and refined artificial breeding technologies for a number of high-value aquatic species, including crustaceans such as mantis shrimp, marine fish species, mollusks such as Ben Tre clams, and cold-water fish including Siberian sturgeon and Russian sturgeon.

These technologies have been transferred to production facilities nationwide, contributing to economic restructuring, particularly in cold-water aquaculture, while stabilizing and expanding production in several localities.

Targets for fisheries and surveillance development

Dr. Ninh said technological development remains central to ensuring the sustainable development of the fisheries and fisheries surveillance sectors.

Priority tasks include broodstock breeding and seed production technologies for key aquatic species, as well as research and development of advanced aquaculture technologies, particularly high-tech farming models suited to local natural and socio-economic conditions.

Other priorities include expanding the use of biological products in aquaculture, reducing antibiotic use to ensure food safety, researching fish disease epidemiology, developing disease prevention and treatment protocols, producing vaccines and veterinary medicines for aquaculture, and manufacturing biological products to replace antibiotics.

The sector also aims to develop aquaculture feed and nutritional supplements, as well as rapid testing kits to detect antibiotic residues, toxic chemicals and foodborne pathogens.

At the same time, research is being directed toward low-water-use aquaculture technologies and environmental treatment solutions for aquaculture systems.

Dr. Ninh emphasized the need for further investment in technologies and equipment for harvesting, preservation and processing in order to ensure food safety, reduce post-harvest losses and increase the value of fisheries products.

He also called for stronger development of the fisheries biotechnology industry, prioritizing breeding technologies, cell technology processes, biological products for organic production, diagnostic products and vaccines for disease prevention and treatment.

In parallel, improving infrastructure and equipment capacity is necessary to absorb and scale up industrial technology transfer, paving the way for the establishment of a dedicated fisheries biotechnology industry.

Amid rapid digital transformation, Dr. Ninh said developing digital tools and databases is increasingly important. This includes digitization, data standardization, large-scale database development, and the integration and sharing of national and sectoral databases to support state management, business operations and production activities.

He also stressed the importance of applying Industry 4.0 technologies to optimize production, governance and value chain integration, moving toward smart and precision-based production models.

Pilot programs and scaling up smart production models, new technologies in processing, traceability management, value-chain integration and circular economy models that efficiently utilize fisheries by-products should also be prioritized.

“One of the priority tasks is the development of next-generation biotechnology industries, with a focus on mastering technologies for producing biological products such as preservatives, environmental treatment products, next-generation vaccines and testing kits for aquaculture, gradually replacing chemically derived products,” Dr. Ninh said.