High-tech breeding powers strategic shift for marine aquaculture

Breeding is vital for mariculture industry

As the leading research unit for aquaculture in the Central and Central Highlands regions, the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. III (RIA III) has pioneered research and transferred numerous advanced breeding technologies and technical farming procedures, significantly contributing to the realization of the National Marine Aquaculture Strategy.

Institute III has achieved significant progress in scientific and technological (S&T) activities and innovation since 2021. The Institute’s research not only meets practical production needs but also contributes substantially to the development of the aquaculture sector in the Central region and the entire country, especially as Viet Nam is determined to implement the Strategy for Sustainable Marine Aquaculture Development under Decision No. 1664/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister.

Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Van Nha, Director of RIA III, affirmed: “Given the decline in natural marine resources and the goal of reaching 1.45 million tons of marine aquaculture output by 2030, mastering breeding production technology is the key factor that will determine the success of the Marine Aquaculture Strategy.”

This is a critical necessity because the current supply of marine breeding stock in Viet Nam still relies on natural exploitation or imports, which poses risks regarding genetic quality, pathogens, instability, and high costs. High-quality breeding stock, characterized by fast growth and strong disease resistance, is the "key" to enhancing productivity, mitigating risks, and creating valuable export products.

Recognizing this requirement, Institute III has intensified its research and mastery of breeding production technology. From 2021 to 2025, the Institute led 54 S&T tasks at various levels, including 14 at the state level. Notably, the Institute’s scientists successfully developed artificial breeding technology for many high-value aquatic species vital to marine farming, including blue crab, sea cucumber, hybrid grouper, barramundi (sea bass), king crab, oyster, pearl oyster, scallop, and edible sea urchin.

The Institute also succeeded in selecting the G9 generation of fast-growing, disease-resistant whiteleg shrimp and the G3 generation of barramundi. Dr. Nha stated that these efforts have allowed the Institute to proactively transfer and support breeding technology for enterprises and localities, thereby diversifying farmed species and stabilizing the supply of juvenile stock for production needs.

Completing the integrated technology chain

Beyond breeding stock, Institute III has focused on developing integrated S&T solutions to form a complete aquaculture value chain, moving toward the goal of modern and sustainable industrial marine aquaculture.

In marine farming technology, the Institute has successfully researched biosecure procedures. Notable achievements include mastering the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) for lobster and snail farming, and developing two-tier cage technology for lobster farming, which optimizes space and environmental control.

In addition, research on nutrition and animal health has been prioritized. The Institute has researched nutritional compositions and successfully produced industrial feed for many species, including snail feed made with Vietnamese ingredients and specialized lobster feed in RAS.

Crucially, to address the biggest concern for farmers, disease control, the Institute successfully established a protocol for controlling milky disease in caged lobsters, researched and created IgY antibodies for the prevention and treatment of Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) in brackish water shrimp, and successfully manufactured an inactivated vaccine to prevent Streptococcus iniae bacterial disease in barramundi, thus opening a path for proactive and sustainable prevention.

The Institute also regularly conducts environmental monitoring and warnings in key farming areas of the Central and Central Highlands regions, providing timely information and solutions to minimize losses for local farmers.

Technology transfer and international integration

The research outcomes have been rapidly transferred and applied by RIA III, creating a positive wide-ranging impact. In the 2021-2025 period, the Institute was granted 1 patent, 2 utility solutions, and 14 technical advancements, including the commercial farming procedure for barramundi and the milky disease control protocol for lobsters.

Domestic and international collaboration is viewed as a lever for technology transfer. Institute III has closely collaborated with universities, institutes, and major enterprises to transfer and support the breeding technology for hybrid grouper, snail, sea crab, and edible sea urchin, as well as to apply farming procedures for lobster, snail, and soft-shell crab to 13 domestic enterprises and units.

Significantly, the Institute has executed six international cooperation projects with Australian universities, including Sunshine Coast and James Cook, focusing on research strengths such as lobster farming technology, hybrid grouper, and pearl oyster. This not only enhances research capacity but also integrates international standards into Viet Nam’s aquaculture sector.

The quality of RIA III's research is affirmed by the publication of 22 articles in prestigious international journals, the publication of 2 books, 1 collection of the Institute's S&T research (2014-2024), and 74 articles in reputable domestic journals during the 2021-2025 period, contributing to the Institute's standing in the regional and global aquaculture industry.