Pearl grouper farming in HDPE cages achieves VietGAP certification

On November 24–25, 2025, the Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center held the preliminary conference for the 2025 project "Developing a model of marine pearl grouper farming in HDPE cages achieving VietGAP certification, linking to product consumption."

In the context of traditional wooden cages and foam buoys revealing multiple shortcomings, such as rapid degradation, high risk of damage, environmental pollution, and lack of safety during storm seasons, the introduction of HDPE cages has opened a new direction for marine farming in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh. HDPE cages have a lifespan of 20–30 years, withstand strong waves and winds, reduce stock losses, and are friendly for the marine environment.

In addition, pearl grouper, a hybrid variety between potato grouper and giant grouper, offers fast growth, low disease susceptibility, delicious meat quality, and high economic value. After one year of farming, fish can reach a size of over 1.1 kg/head, meeting demands of domestic and export markets.

In 2025, the Hai Phong Agricultural Extension Center implemented the project "Developing a model of marine pearl grouper farming in HDPE cages achieving VietGAP certification, linking to product consumption" in the Cat Hai special zone (Hai Phong) and the Van Don special zone (Quang Ninh). The project stocked 12,600 fingerlings with a total scale of 630 m³ of HDPE cages. Participating households received support in seeds, feed, biological products, technical guidance, and VietGAP certification consultancy.

Results from the 2025 project showed outstanding performance across both technical and economic indicators. The fish survival rate reached 75.8%, exceeding the project target; the average harvest size was 1.125 kg/head; productivity reached 17 kg/m³, 13.3% higher than the initial plan. Total output reached 10,736 kg, delivering economic efficiency 69.8% higher than traditional farming methods.

All products generated from the model were contracted for 100% consumption, helping farmers feel secure in production. Notably, 100% of participating households received guidance, assessment, and VietGAP certification. The model’s scale-up rate in 2025 reached 158.7%, confirming its feasibility and spread within fishing communities.

In addition, training, capacity building, and communication activities were carried out synchronously, including two training courses on model development for 40 trainees, two scale-up training courses for 60 trainees, two conferences for summarizing farming sites, and one preliminary conference for the project.

The project also installed 36 VietGAP signboards at farming sites and published communication materials, achieving 100% of planned targets. These outcomes demonstrate that the application of HDPE cages and VietGAP procedures is paving the way for the sustainable development of pearl grouper farming at sea in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh.

Through the model, farmers gained access to VietGAP procedures, improved their awareness of environmental management in farming areas, reduced the use of trash fish, applied biological products, and maintained complete farming logs. The adoption of HDPE cage technology provides reassurance, reduces storm-season risks, and aligns with strategies for marine economic development and environmental protection.

Many farming households reported that the fish grow quickly, experience fewer diseases, and have lower loss rates. Additionally, production costs are reduced while outputs remain stable thanks to linkages with enterprises.

Representatives from central and local agencies highly appreciated the efforts of the Hai Phong and Quang Ninh Agricultural Extension Centers and recommended continued replication of the model, completion of infrastructure in farming areas, support in preferential credit, and strengthened linkages among farmers, enterprises, and scientists.

Project results show that the model for pearl grouper farming in HDPE cages not only delivers outstanding economic efficiency but also makes an important contribution to protecting the environment, creating jobs, and promoting marine-based experiential tourism. This is a suitable, sustainable development direction with the potential for large-scale expansion in Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and other coastal provinces in the near future.