A workshop on sustainable lobster farming takes place in Khanh Hoa on April 13. - Photo: VNA

The attendees focused theirdiscussion on lobster farming-related policies, post-disaster support for theaquaculture industry, new lobster farming techniques and how to prevent thespread of diseases on lobsters.

According to the Directorateof Fisheries, the number of lobster cages in Vietnam rose from 49,000 in 2010to 83,000 in 2017. The country’s lobster output was estimated at about 1,530tonnes last year, mostly from Khanh Hoa (984 tonnes) and Phu Yen (500 tonnes).However, lobster price fell from 2.5 million VND (110 USD) in 2014 to 1.6million VND (70.4 USD) this year.

Speaking at the event, TranCong Khoi from the Directorate of Fisheries said the unsustainable developmentof lobster farming will result in a low and unstable yield. Despite higheconomic value, the sector faces many challenges in planning and management, henoted, adding that the increase in the density of lobster cages and theexpansion of lobster farming in tourist and industrial areas are among the sector’sproblems.

He also named other issueslike old and non-ecofriendly farming practices and lack of links betweenfarmers and traders.

Khanh Hoa is home to over40,000 lobster cages while Quang Ngai has started breeding lobsters in recentyears with about 400 cages over an area of 2,000 sq.m.

Phu Yen is one of thebiggest lobster breeders in Vietnam and the success of the lobster industryhere has helped improve incomes of local farmers.