Khanh Hoa strives to be one fisheries center by 2030

Key economic sector

Khanh Hoa province has great potential for fisheries development, with 385 kilometers of coastline and more than 200 large and small islands, three bays, two coastal lagoons that are relatively airtight.

According to the Fisheries Sub-Department of Khanh Hoa province, the province currently has 3,385 fishing vessels with a length of 6 meters or more, of which 1,891 for fishing in coastal areas, 753 for fishing in floating areas, and 741 for offshore fishing.

In the 2016-2020 period, Khanh Hoa province's average annual fishery exploitation reached 96,000 tonnes with an average growth rate of 0.70% per year.

Khanh Hoa province's seafood export turnover has continuously increased in recent years, accounting for more than 60% of agriculture's total export turnover. Specifically, from US$ 447.3 million in 2016 to US$ 614.5 million in 2019. However, in 2020, due to the Covid-19 epidemic, the export turnover was only US$ 510 million.

Regarding aquaculture, by 2020, the province has 252 farms with an output of more than 6,281 million breeds. The commercial shrimp farming area was about 2,014 hectares. In which over 1,655 hectares were for white-leg shrimp, 359 hectares were for black tiger shrimp farming.

In particular, lobster is a critical aquaculture species in the province, with an output of 1,540.4 tonnes. In addition, the total fish production is more than 9,108 tonnes. The total production of fragrant snail reached 2,815.6 tonnes.

For seafood processing and trade, the province has 149 seafood production and processing establishments for domestic consumption and 57 seafood production and processing establishments for export. Many enterprises have been certified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to meet industry standards.

The primary processing and exporting enterprises in Khanh Hoa province are Hai Vuong Co., Ltd., Nha Trang Seafood-F17 Joint Stock Company, Hai Long Co., Ltd., Thinh Hung Co., Ltd., Tin Thinh Co., Ltd... Khanh Hoa's export seafood products have been present on the market in 64 countries and territories around the world.

The main export seafood products are made from frozen tuna and shrimp, with an average total export turnover of US$ 536.62 million per year and an average growth rate of 4,26% per year.

Khanh Hoa province has four fishing ports, including one fishing port of class 1 (Hon Ro fishing port); 3 fishing ports of class 3 (Da Bac fishing port, Vinh Luong fishing port, and Dai Lanh fishing port); The three anchorage areas for storm shelter are Song Tac - Hon Ro, Cam Ranh and the storm shelter in Ninh Hoa town.

According to the Master Plan on Fisheries Development of Vietnam to 2020, with a vision to 2030, Khanh Hoa is identified as one of the five major fisheries centers of the country. In particular, Da Bac fishing port is invested and built into the most important fishing center in Khanh Hoa, creating a driving force to attract investment and strongly develop the marine economy in the South Central region.

Towards comprehensive and sustainable development

Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee has just issued a plan to implement the strategy to develop Vietnam's seafood until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

According to the plan, Khanh Hoa will develop the seafood industry comprehensively and sustainably, becoming a major export commodity production industry with a reasonable, quality, efficient and capable production structure and organization form, high competitiveness domestically, regionally, and internationally; Diversified products, serving for export and tourism development; closely link between development goals and protection of the ecological environment and aquatic resources.

By 2030, Khanh Hoa province aims to account for about 61-62% of the total agricultural structure. The entire production of aquatic products reached 150-155 thousand tonnes. In which fishing exploitation production accounts for 60%, aquaculture accounts for 40%. The total value of seafood production reaches VND 11,500 billion VND. Aquaculture area reaches 3,000 hectares, of which salt and brackish water farming area reach 2,400 hectares, fresh-water reaches 650 hectares. The value of seafood export turnover reaches US$ 700-725 million, with an average growth rate of 5 - 6%/year. The province has more than 80% of trained fishery workers.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Chanh, Head of Fisheries Sub-Department of Khanh Hoa province, said that the Provincial People's Committee orients to reorganize fishing activities in floating areas and coastal areas to achieve the above goals.

Along with that, the province needs to develop an efficient and sustainable fishing fleet based on gradually reducing the fishing force, ensuring it is suitable with the reserve of aquatic resources.

For production and aquaculture, the province will promote propaganda and guidance on converting from traditional wooden cages to new material cages (HDPE), ensuring safety and beauty combined with sea tourism, raising new varieties with high economic value, and reducing the environmental pollution.

Khanh Hoa province calls on businesses to build infrastructure for concentrated aquaculture areas; develop aquaculture areas towards farms associated with processing;

Applying science and technology to aquaculture, ensuring disease safety and improving economic efficiency; forming aquaculture association groups towards establishing cooperatives in aquaculture and linking with businesses consuming products.

For seafood processing and trade, Khanh Hoa province will promote the development of a large-scale seafood processing industry, playing a pivotal role in leading and promoting the development of the seafood production chain towards increasing added value and sustainable development.