Threadfin, amberjack emerge as new species for marine aquaculture

As the fisheries sector accelerates its strategy to develop industrial-scale marine aquaculture, the search for new farming species has become urgent. Mr. Tran The Muu, Deputy Director of the Viet Nam Academy of Fishery Sciences, shared his views with VAN News on the potential of threadfin and amberjack in this context.

 Sir, how do you assess the development potential of threadfin and amberjack as the fisheries sector is accelerating industrial-scale marine aquaculture?

Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) and threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) are two marine fish genetic resources with high economic value and strong potential for industrial aquaculture development. The collection and establishment of broodstock and parent stocks, alongside research to complete technological processes for threadfin and exploratory studies on amberjack, are essential steps toward mastering seed production and commercial farming technologies. These efforts aim to create breakthroughs in marine aquaculture development in the coming years.

To date, what outstanding research achievements have been made for these two species, particularly in seed production, sir?

Currently, the Viet Nam Academy of Fishery Sciences has mastered seed production and commercial farming technologies for fourfinger threadfin. The seed production and commercial farming processes for this species have been officially recognized as technical advances under Decision No. 718/QD-TCTS-KHCN&HTQT dated December 9, 2019, and Decision No. 719/QD-TCTS-KHCN&HTQT dated December 9, 2019.

Regarding amberjack, we are currently developing artificial seed production technologies. Initially, more than 35,000 amberjack juveniles, with a size of 4–5 cm/head, have been successfully produced. These hatchery-produced juveniles are now being piloted for commercial cage farming at sea. After eight months of commercial farming, the fish have reached weights of 800–1,000 grams/head. However, survival rates during the farming process remain low and are still under monitoring.

For these two species, at what stage is the value chain from seed production to commercial farming, and what are the key aspects that need further improvement to move toward large-scale production?

For threadfin, the value chain from seed production to commercial farming can be considered relatively complete. Currently, we are able to proactively produce seed in line with market demand. As for commercial growing technology, we are fully capable of transferring farming techniques to enterprises with demand. The key step toward large-scale production is the replication of commercial farming models for threadfin using industrial feed.

Meanwhile, for amberjack, we are now researching and developing artificial seed production processes and piloting commercial cage farming models at sea. The key bottleneck for this species is the need to further refine seed production processes and establish complete commercial farming procedures.

During the research and farming trials, what are the major technical challenges currently facing threadfin and amberjack?

For threadfin, the main technical challenge lies in maintaining a clean and stable farming environment, ensuring an abundant supply of clean water, and producing specialized industrial feed. A suitable water temperature is 18–30°C, with dissolved oxygen levels above 5 mg/liter.

For amberjack, as a pelagic species with strong swimming activity, this marine fish has stringent environmental requirements. Farming conditions must ensure stable salinity, clean water, dissolved oxygen above 5 mg/liter, and water temperatures between 15 and 26°C (not exceeding 29°C for prolonged periods).

From a research perspective, how do you assess the possibility that within the next 3–5 years, threadfin and amberjack could become commodity-scale marine aquaculture species and contribute significantly to exports?

In my view, within the next five years, threadfin is likely to become an important marine aquaculture species, with strong potential for widespread farming in brackish coastal ponds, and could generate substantial output for both domestic consumption and export.

As for amberjack, further research is needed to refine technical processes for commercial cage farming at sea, ensuring they align with the species’ biological and adaptive characteristics before planning for large-scale farming expansion.

Sincerely thank you, sir!

Mr. Tran The Muu, Deputy Director of the Viet Nam Academy of Fishery Sciences, emphasized, "To improve the efficiency of marine aquaculture species in general, and threadfin and amberjack in particular, scientific research should focus methodically on selective breeding, the production of specialized feed, and the management of environmental conditions and diseases throughout the farming process."