Solutions for developing aquaculture and aquatic products consumption in coastal areas of Thanh hoa province

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SOLUTIONS FOR DEVELOPING AQUACULTURE AND AQUATIC 
PRODUCTS CONSUMPTION IN COASTAL AREAS OF THANH HOA 
PROVINCE 
Le Thi Minh Hue, Pham Thi Ngoc
1
Received: 10 August 2020/ Accepted: 1 September 2020/ Published: September 2020 
Abstract: Thanh Hoa province which has a coastline of more than 100 km brings many 
advantages to the development of aquaculture. In recent years, aquaculture has developed 
rapidly, quite comprehensively, positively contributing to the growth of the agriculture and 
socio-economic development of coastal districts. However, in the process of producing and 
consuming aquatic products in these areas, there are still many difficulties and shortcomings. 
In this study, the authors focus on SWOT analysis to show the potentials and challenges of 
aquaculture and consumption of some key aquatic products (Meretrix lyrata and Litopenaeus 
Vannamei). From which, the authors propose solutions to develop aquaculture and the 
consumption of those key aquatic products in the coastal area of Thanh Hoa province. 
Keywords: Aquatic products, aquaculture, consuming, Meretrix lyrata, Litopenaeus 
Vannamei, coastal area, Thanh Hoa province. 
1. Introduction 
Fishery is an important industry in the economy of Vietnam. The Prime Minister's 
Decision No. 332/QD-TTg dated March 3
rd
, 2011, mentioned rapid development of aquaculture 
in industrialization, modernization, efficiency, high competitiveness and sustainable 
development orientation; to become the main production industry that provides raw materials 
for export and domestic consumption; at the same time creating more jobs, increasing income 
for farmers and fishermen, ensuring social security, contributing to poverty reduction and 
protecting national security. The Decision No. 1445/QD-TTg dated August 16
th
, 2013 of the 
Prime Minister clearly stated that the fisheries sector will basically be industrialized by 2020, 
modernized by 2030 and continue developing comprehensively and effectively and becoming a 
large production industry, with reasonable production structure and forms, with high 
productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness. The estimated total fishery production 
would be about 7.0 million tons; Seafood export value would be about 11 billion USD. 
The coastal area of Thanh Hoa province, with 6 districts, towns and cities, has 
potentials for developing aquaculture. Thanh Hoa province plans to orient and focus on 
raising Meretrix lyrata and Litopenaeus Vannamei (Meretrix lyrata takes advantage of the 
existing coastal areas, and Litopenaeus Vannamei is a product with the orientation to expand 
Le Thi Minh Hue, Pham Thi Ngoc 
Faculty of Economic and Bussiness Administration, Hong Duc University 
Email: lethiminhhue@hdu.edu.vn ( ) 
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and meet the needs of consumers with higher efficiency). However, in the process of 
producing and consuming aquatic products in coastal areas, there are still many difficulties 
and shortcomings such as: Policy access is not timely and sufficient; consumption market is 
not stable, production resources such as food, seeds, labor are still weak, the environment is 
still polluted, etc. Therefore, there should be key solutions to develop aquaculture and 
consume aquatic products in coastal areas of Thanh Hoa province towards the strategic goals. 
In this study, we focus on SWOT analysis to see the potentials and challenges in 
aquaculture and consumption of aquaculture (Meretrix lyrata and Litopenaeus Vannamei). 
From which, we propose solutions to develop farming and consumption of some key aquatic 
products in the coastal area of Thanh Hoa province. 
2. Research results and discussion 
2.1. Current status of cultivating some aquatic products in Thanh Hoa coastal areas 
The aquaculture area is divided  ... tages in developing the aquatic products consumption market in 
general and for Meretrix lyrata and Litopenaeus Vannamei in particular. 
Meretrix lyrata and Litopenaeus Vannamei is exported products, which have majority 
market in China and the EU. In the future, the market share and product consumption in other 
countries is also gradually expanding. 
2.2.2. Weaknesses (W) 
The productivity of Meretrix lyrata and Litopenaeus Vannamei are low compared to 
other regions, such as Nam Dinh reached 17 tons/ ha/ year (Coastal area of Thanh Hoa 
province reached 10 tons/ ha/ year). The quality of Meretrix lyrata is still low, the consistency 
and uniformity of the clam is not high. Litopenaeus Vannamei productivity in the coastal area 
of Thanh Hoa province reached about 11 tons/ ha/ crop, meanwhile the Southern Provinces 
achieved higher productivity. 
The level of access to policies related to farming aquatic products is limited, only 
through the passive direction of agricultural extension workers and local authorities. The 
famers‟ have not yet grasped the opportunity to access. 
Aquatic product processing facilities are weak: Meretrix lyrata processing factories are 
not yet available in the area. Some shrimp processing and exporting factories have weak 
infrastructure, few functions of collecting, preliminarily processing and preserving fresh 
products for export. 
The association is simple, not effective yet. Vertical and horizontal linking is still 
simple; it has not been paid much attention. This is a difficulty in farming and consumption, 
especially the weakness in chain linkage. 
The consumer market is not stable, the export market share is not large; almost 
products from Meretrix lyrata of Thanh Hoa are only for domestic consumption or small 
export to the Chinese market. The main reason is the change in color of Meretrix lyrata and 
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poor quality. This is due to the high density of Meretrix lyrata and water sources are polluted 
in many places. The product's origin has not been traced. Modern channels of consumption 
are still limited and difficult. 
Farming conditions: Inadequate infrastructure, seed supply is difficult, quality labor is 
low, lack of capital is the difficulties in raising Meretrix lyrata and shrimp. 
2.2.3. Opportunities (O) 
Convenient international exchange is an opportunity to develop markets for products, 
especially when Vietnam joins world organizations. Especially in the context of the 
development orientation of Thanh Hoa province is to become one of the four northern 
economic poles along with Hanoi, Quang Ninh and Hai Phong. 
The area of tiger shrimp farming to Litopenaeus Vannamei farming is being 
encouraged and selected. The planned farming area in 2025 will reach 710 hectares (also 
possibly expanding to 450 hectares) [3] . 
Government attention: The orientation of restructuring the fisheries and aquaculture 
sector has also been interested in such as supporting policies on bidding for Meretrix lyrata 
farm, loan policy for changing shrimp farming areas, guidance on technical support, fishery 
infrastructure has been upgraded and newly built by the province and localities. 
Consumers tend to use natural products, replacing other food, so they tend to use 
Meretrix lyrata and Vannamei Shrimp. 
Exportpotential: Meretrix lyrata and Litopenaeus Vannamei are two products with 
relatively large export volume. It is forecasted that by 2025, Litopenaeus Vannamei of 
Vietnam will be exported to US with the value of $6541 million (76% of shrimp export 
value) [5]. 
2.2.4. Threats(T) 
There are many seafood products competing with Meretrix lyrata and Litopenaeus 
Vannamei in the coastal area of Thanh Hoa province (There are 28 coastal provinces in the 
whole country; many coastal areas thrive to raise Meretrix lyrata and Litopenaeus Vannamei). 
Pollution from aquaculture, seafood processing, and polluted water cause risks in 
farming. Climate change also affects aquaculture. The waste treatment in the Litopenaeus 
Vannamei farming areas still has many facilities that do not arrange settling ponds or do not 
ensure the capacity to store and filter wastewater. This causes the risk of environmental 
pollution, causes epidemics to spread and breaks out in concentrated aquaculture areas, etc. 
Climate change has a negative impact on the agricultural sector. Meretrix lyrata and 
Litopenaeus Vannamei have a quite strong impact; (1) Effect of temperature: An increasing 
in temperature could reduce fisheries production in ponds and lakes; (2) The effects of 
droughts, floods, and thunderstorms, decreasing salinity in ponds suddenly beyond the 
tolerance level, causing shock, death or slow growth; (3) Impacts of sea level rise on the 
fisheries sector [4]. 
From there, the SWOT model is built in Table 2. 
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Table 2. SWOT model 
SWOT 
Opportunities (O) 
Convenient international exchange. 
The ability to expand the farming area of Litopenaeus 
Vannamei is still large. 
The attention of the State. 
Needs of consumers increasing. 
Litopenaeus Vannamei is Having the most potential to 
export. 
Threats(T) 
There are many 
competitive products. 
Pollution from aquaculture 
wastewater,seafood 
processing. 
Climate Change 
Strengths (S) 
There is potential in natural conditions. 
Experienced in farming. 
Road and waterway traffic is convenient. 
Export product 
Strengths - Opportunities (SO) 
Expanding export markets. 
Expanding the farming area of Litopenaeus Vannamei 
like implementing the planning of the farming area. 
Creating conditions to register the origin of products; 
issuing Viet GAP certificate toViet GAP farm. 
Strengths - Threats (ST) 
Searching for new 
consumer markets. 
Increasing application of 
technical progress. 
Taking solutions toreduce 
environmental pollution. 
Weaknesses (W) 
The productivity of Meretrix lyrata and Vannamei 
Shrimpis low compared to other regions. 
Missing policies; Policy access remains difficulty. 
Aquatic product proce-ssing establishments are weak. 
The association is simple, not effective yet. 
The consumer market is not stable; the share of 
export is not broad. 
The conditions for farming: 
Infrastructure is weak; Limited quality seed 
supply, control of feed for Litopenaeus Vannamei 
is difficult; The quality of labor has not met 
the requirements of farming techniques, the capacity 
to access the market is limited; Lack of funds. 
Weaknesses - Opportunities (WO) 
Complete policy; Improve access to policies for Meretrix 
lyrata and Litopenaeus Vannamei farming in terms of capital. 
Encouraging investment in developing and processing 
aquaculture. 
Strengthening links in farming and consumption of 
Litopenaeus Vannamei, Meretrix lyrata, especially chain 
linkage. 
Promoting investment and awareness of high quality seed. 
Increasing investment in regional infrastructure for 
Meretrix lyrata and Litopenaeus Vannamei; support for 
production loans, control seed and feed supply. 
Train to improve the quality of labor to meet farming techniques, 
and improve the capacity to access consumer markets. 
Weaknesses - Threats (WT) 
Exploiting market in the 
province. 
Orienting farmers to aware 
and adapt to climate 
change. 
Controlling imported seed. 
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3. Some solutions to develop farming and consumption of some key aquatic products in 
coastal areas of Thanh Hoa province 
First, Complete and improve the accessibility of policies, plan to support farming and 
consumption of some key aquatic products: It is necessary to have policies which support 
production, capital, seeds, supplies, advanced scientific and technological approach, technical 
training, infrastructure and farming areas; linking production and consumption; attracting 
businesses to participate in the production chain; Research and implement insurance policies 
in fisheries, especially insurance policy for key seafood products; Continue to improve the 
policy access, planning aquaculture, vertical management functions. 
Second, strengthen chain linkage, reorganize production by value chain from raw 
material production to processing and consumption; Building typical chain models for zones: 
Reorganizing production in the value chain from raw material production to consumption 
processing, creating cohesion, profit and risk sharing between raw material producers and 
seafood processing enterprises; Strengthening the linkage of 4 partners: government, 
scientists, businesses and famers; ensuring the rights farmers; create conditions for farmers to 
feel secure in production; Pilot construction link farming and consumption of Meretrix lyrata 
and vannamei shrimpat one of the areas, then continues to replicate typical model other 
districts in coastal areas; Developing models of cooperative groups, fisheries cooperatives 
and community management practices . 
Third, increase production conditions to improve efficiency for aquaculture and 
consumption: (1) The farmers need to perform construction and infrastructure sufficient to 
handle pollution of aquaculturewater (for vannamei, they need to invest in building settling 
ponds to treat the water environment); Focus on investment and planning infrastructure for 
farming areas from tiger shrimp to Litopenaeus Vannamei; (2) Strengthen technical training 
program for aquaculture households, need to pay attention to popularization market news, 
market approach for households; (3) Encourage banks and credit institutions to participate in 
the strategic linkage between banks - enterprises - households; (4) Seed in the province did 
not meet, need to actively seed source; (5) For feed supply: select suppliers, respect feed 
ingredients carefully and consult technical experts. 
Fourth, promote the application of technical advances in aquaculture to improve 
productivity and enhance climate change adaptive capacity: Develop VietGAP farming 
model to meet product quality trends and reduce disease risks. 
Fifth, stabilize and develop the aquaculture consumption market: Building a joint 
venture mechanism, linkage between aquaculture farmers as raw material areas with 
businesses; Planning to develop a system of processing factories and commercial cold storage 
to increase efficiency and regulate a stable source of raw materials; Developing modern 
distribution channels in seafood consumption to encourage farmers to consume through 
contracts with restaurants, processing enterprises, etc. 
Sixth, minimize water pollution in aquaculture: For farmers, perfecting the infrastructure 
system for farming, environmental treatment when epidemic outbreaks occur. For processing 
facilities, focus on investment and operation of centralized collection systems, rational 
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classification of industrial and domestic solid waste; manage, store and transfer hazardous solid 
waste in accordance with regulations. For State, propagate and raise community awareness 
about the responsibility of environmental protection, strengthen inspection and control. For 
communities in farming areas, carry out monitoring communities, concentrated farming areas 
should have community management solutions in the management of the water environment. 
4. Conclusion 
Exploiting the advantages of coastal areas in order to develop suitable types of aquatic 
products is the restructuring strategy of Thanh Hoa province in the direction of increasing 
added value and promoting development of seafood consumption in coastal areas by 
sustainable direction. Solutions to develop aquaculture and consuming aquatic products for 
coastal areas in Thanh Hoa province will be the basis to ensure stable output, also support 
original traceability, improve product reputation, and increase competitiveness to bring 
higher economic efficiency to aquatic products in general and Litopenaeus Vannamei and 
Meretrix lyrata in particular for the coastal areas of Thanh Hoa province. 
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