Selection and in-depth research on high economic value fish varieties

Downstream Mekong River and the Mekong Delta converge a diversity of freshwater fish species. Thanks to artificial reproduction techniques, many commercial-farmed fish species possess very high economic value.

In Can Tho city, Pham Nghia Company has invested in bronze featherback farming according to GlobalGAP standards. Photo: HD.

According to survey studies, the Mekong River has about 1,200 fish species representing many families, diverse in morphology and lifestyle. Particularly, the Mekong Delta has over 250 species of freshwater fish, of which about 50 species possess high economic value.

However, now only 50-100 species are caught on a regular basis and mainly in lowland areas where there are many inhabitants. It is estimated that in the downstream Mekong region, the volume of inland fishery catches is at least 2 million tons/year (nearly 3 million tons/year at a higher level). Most of the fish caught in the wild are whitefish migrating along the Mekong River.

In the past 30 years, with continuous scientific research efforts of institutes, universities and fisheries research centers in the Mekong Delta’s provinces and cities, now dozens of indigenous freshwater fish species have been artificially reproduced successfully. Of which, there are nearly 20 rare and precious fish species that have the potential to produce seeds and farm commercially to create high economic value.

Many commercial fish households in the Mekong Delta grow freshwater catfish.

Upon assessing indigenous fish varieties for the development of freshwater fish farming in the Mekong Delta, Assoc. Prof. Duong Nhut Long, Faculty of Fisheries - Can Tho University, said that freshwater fish species including whitefish and field-fish have achieved success in artificial reproduction, but only a few species have been produced and commercially farmed.

According to Assoc. Prof. Duong Nhut Long, the Mekong Delta region’s advantage is the diverse freshwater fish species, full of potential for exploitation that brings great economic benefits, typically tra fish is being developed following the global export commodity chain.

Recent research on artificial reproduction of some fish species has been focusing on some species that are in danger of depletion in order to protect and maintain native aquatic resources, such as: goatfish, ilish, scaly hairfin anchovy... At the same time, the selection and in-depth research on a few varieties of fish with high economic value, capable of high productivity, with output large enough to develop into a commodity chain from expansion of farming areas to farming activities for export is highly essential.

Prospective market observation of some species shows that bronze featherback has few bones, tough and sweet meat is being favored by European customers very much. In regard to farmed eel, the seed has been actively produced, after exploration, the product is favored by markets in many countries. As for snakeheads, bass, Snakeskin gourami, or some other field-fish species, farmers in the Mekong Delta are expanding the farming areas to supply the domestic market.

Research, selection and creation of high-quality agricultural varieties that can adapt to climate change for the region have been integrated into the program on “Research Development and Seed Production in service of the agricultural sector restructuring in the 2021-2030 period” in Decision No. 703/QD-TTg dated May 28th, 2020. The MARD has been directing to improve the research and production ability of agricultural and forestry plant varieties, livestock and aquatic breeds, specifically, the goal of developing three key varieties of the region (aquatic products, fruits, and rice) by 2025 and 2030 is clearly defined.