Removing technological bottlenecks to expand marine aquaculture

Technological bottlenecks

In the context of declining capture resources and increasingly evident climate change, marine aquaculture is identified as a new growth pillar for the fisheries sector. However, many experts believe that the shift toward industrial-scale marine aquaculture is being hindered by a fundamental bottleneck: technology.

Within the framework of the “2026 National Conference on Fisheries Science and Technology and Fisheries Surveillance,” at the workshop on “Science, Technology and Innovation for Marine Aquaculture Development,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Quang from the High-Tech Innovation Center under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology emphasized that the biggest bottleneck today does not lie in resources or farmed species, but in technological gaps that leave offshore areas largely untapped. In reality, Viet Nam’s marine aquaculture remains mostly confined to sheltered bays, where production is easier to organize but quickly leads to environmental overload, disease outbreaks, and spatial conflicts with tourism and transport.

Three core barriers identified are all directly related to technology. First, cage systems are not yet capable of adapting to open-sea conditions, lacking designs that can withstand strong waves and mechanisms for submergence during storms. Second, there is a lack of automation and remote monitoring systems, forcing farmers to remain on-site and operate manually, resulting in high feed conversion ratios and limited scalability. Third, constraints in electronic traceability make it difficult for products to meet international standards, leaving them dependent on traditional markets.

From a scientific perspective, he pointed out a similar reality: although Viet Nam has established an initial foundation in seed technology and some new farming models, the sector as a whole remains fragmented. Seed quality is not yet stable and still depends on natural sources; production is small-scale and low-tech; while infrastructure for environmental monitoring, disease control, and logistics remains limited.

Pressure from climate change is further exposing these limitations. Phenomena such as sea level rise, ocean acidification, and stronger storms not only increase risks but also force the sector to shift toward new technological solutions, from wave-resistant cage materials and automated monitoring systems to the breeding of climate-resilient strains.

From another perspective, Dr. Truong Quoc Thai of the Vietnam Academy of Fishery Sciences warned that environmental issues in marine aquaculture are currently underestimated. The accumulation of organic waste leads to localized eutrophication, reducing oxygen levels and generating toxic gases, which directly lowers survival rates. In addition, microplastic pollution and chemical residues from traditional cage materials, along with the overuse of antibiotics, are creating long-term risks for ecosystems and food safety.

These constraints indicate that without addressing technological challenges, Viet Nam’s marine aquaculture will not only struggle to expand offshore but also face the risk of decline even in nearshore areas, where pressures are already the greatest.

Restructuring the value chain

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Quang, the solution does not lie in isolated improvements but in an integrated technology system. In particular, next-generation cages capable of withstanding strong waves and automatically submerging during storms will open up offshore farming space. At the same time, AIoT systems enable “unmanned” operations, automating feeding, environmental monitoring, and real-time disease forecasting, thereby significantly reducing labor and improving production efficiency.

Data from these systems can then be connected to blockchain platforms, forming a transparent traceability chain - an essential requirement for accessing international markets.

Sharing the same view, MSc. Hoang Ly, Head of Division at the National Authority for Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality, Processing, and Market Development (NAFIQPM), stated that the biggest bottleneck currently lies in post-harvest stages and the market.

According to him, although Viet Nam has hundreds of standard-compliant processing plants, actual capacity utilization reaches only 60-70% due to unstable raw material supply and weak value chain linkages. Marine aquaculture products are still mainly exported fresh/live and depend heavily on a few large markets, resulting in low added value and high risks. Post-harvest losses remain significant due to the lack of on-site pre-processing technologies and cold chain logistics systems.

Therefore, alongside production technologies, the marine aquaculture sector needs to invest in deep processing, complete the cold chain, and accelerate digital transformation in traceability, such as applying a “digital passport” for each farming cage. Quality control across the value chain and compliance with international standards are also considered prerequisites for enhancing competitiveness.

At the same time, an ecosystem-based approach has been strongly emphasized by many experts. Dr. Truong Quoc Thai noted that integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) models not only help reduce pollution but also turn waste into resources through a closed nutrient cycle among fish, mollusks, and seaweed. This approach aligns well with the trends of circular economy and green development.

A crucial pillar in this transition is human resources. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thai Thanh Binh, Vice Rector of the Fisheries and Technical Economic College (FTEC), pointed out that industrial marine aquaculture is no longer solely a matter for the fisheries sector, but requires the involvement of mechanical engineering, automation, information technology, and data science. This, in turn, demands a comprehensive restructuring of the workforce, from farmers to high-tech specialists.

Notably, he emphasized that “green and digital human resources” must become a mandatory standard, with the capacity to operate IoT, AI, and blockchain systems, along with an understanding of the circular economy. At the same time, training models need to shift toward practical, application-oriented approaches through collaboration among the State, educational institutions, and enterprises, as well as the establishment of hands-on training centers.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thai Thanh Binh also suggested that marine aquaculture can be developed in combination with other sectors. For example, in Norway, aquaculture is not only about production but is also integrated with experiential tourism. As a result, workers are required not only to have technical aquaculture skills but also knowledge of tourism, thereby forming a broader professional ecosystem beyond traditional fisheries.