Sea exchange for sustainable development

Thanh Tuan Aquaculture and Experiential Tourism Cooperative (Van Don special zone) develops marine farming on licensed areas.

Thanh Tuan Aquaculture and Experiential Tourism Cooperative (Van Don Special Zone) was established in 2018 with 7 members, all of whom have been involved in marine aquaculture in Van Don for many years. Currently, the Cooperative is assigned 20.15 hectares of water surface area for aquaculture combined with tourism and experience. Implementing Decree 11/2021/ND-CP (dated February 10, 2021) of the Government regulating the allocation of certain sea areas to organizations and individuals for exploitation and use of marine resources, in June 2025, the Cooperative was licensed by the Provincial People's Committee, granting the right to use the sea area for aquaculture, with a term of use until June 2050.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Le, Director of Thanh Tuan Aquaculture and Experiential Tourism Cooperative, said: Sea farming is the main livelihood, creating jobs and stable income for Van Don people. Therefore, when the State licensed and assigned the right to use the sea area, the members of the Cooperative were very excited and confident in investing in production, no longer worried about disputes arising or overlapping projects. In addition to traditional mollusks such as milk oysters, clams, and sea cucumbers, the Cooperative will also invest in seaweed farming combined with oyster farming, in order to improve economic efficiency and increase income for members.

With the attention and facilitation of the functional sectors and local authorities, recently, many domestic and foreign investors have come to survey the conditions of aquaculture and expressed their desire to link production and consumption of products with the Cooperative. This is a positive signal, opening up development opportunities for the Cooperative in the coming time.

According to the report of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Van Don Special Economic Zone, by the end of July 2025, 109/120 households had been licensed and assigned sea areas for a period of 10 years with a total area of 51.39 hectares, reaching a rate of 90.8%. In addition, there are 120 organizations, enterprises and cooperatives operating in aquaculture in the area, with a total area of about 11,508 hectares under the authority of the Provincial People's Committee to assign and lease. Of which, 4 cooperatives have been assigned sea areas with an area of 175.88 hectares (Trung Nam Aquatic Products Cooperative 47.98 hectares; Thanh Tuan Aquaculture and Experiential Tourism Cooperative 20.15 hectares; Ha Long Pearl Joint Stock Company 67.93 hectares; Bao Anh Aquaculture and Aquaculture Service Cooperative 39.82 hectares); Five units were granted licenses for aquaculture at sea with a total area of 2,004 hectares, including: Van Don Trading Company Limited, AVD Group Joint Stock Company; Manh Duc Aquatic Products Trading and Service Cooperative, Trong Vinh Aquatic Products Trading and Service Cooperative; and Thang Loi Aquatic Products Cooperative.

Cage fish farming in Ong Cu island area (Cam Pha ward).

Ms. Pham Thi Thu Hien, Head of the Van Don Marine Aquaculture Association, shared: The association currently has 24 members, representing companies and cooperatives in aquaculture and seafood processing in the area, with a total aquaculture area of 5,000 hectares... The state's licensing and recognition of the right to use the sea area not only helps businesses and people feel secure in investing in concentrated aquaculture, applying high technology, creating good quality products, meeting consumer demand, increasing income for farmers, but also creating conditions for tracing the origin of products, farming area codes... Thereby perfecting the legal framework for the value chain of marine aquaculture products from production, processing to consumption, meeting the strict standards of the export market.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, by mid-July, the entire province had allocated 1,298.67 hectares of sea area for aquaculture (total area of organizations and individuals with needs that have completed and are completing documents), reaching 46.95%. Of which, the authority of the Provincial People's Committee is 9 organizations, with a total area of 911.41 hectares (reaching 39.20%); the authority of localities is 663 households, with a total area of 455.86 hectares (reaching 99.1%).

By 2025, Quang Ninh is determined to basically complete the licensing of aquaculture and the allocation of marine areas for aquaculture in the area. The allocation of marine areas must be consistent with the planning, and aquaculture areas must be managed in accordance with sustainable development regulations. The province also strengthens the inspection and handling of violations of legal regulations; and puts an end to the situation of aquaculture that does not comply with regulations on the allocation of marine areas.

Minh Yen

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/giao-bien-de-phat-trien-ben-vung-3371454.html