Section 2 Summary of the Survey Returns:

Thailand

I. Background

Aquaculture and fisheries play an important role in the Thai economy. Thailand is now the seventh largest producer of seafood, with shrimp accounting for about 32% of the total export value. The goal of national fisheries development is to increase fishery production at the rate of 5% a year.

Aquaculture statistics of 1993 showed a production of 3,385,150 tons from 53,224 ha freshwater and 71,887 ha coastal areas. Aquaculture contribution to GDP was 1.4%. Aquaculture directly employed 300,000 people during the year and contributed to 1.4 % of GDP.

The National Inland Fisheries Institute, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is the agency responsible for planning and implementation of the national aquaculture development plan.

II. National Aquaculture Development Plan

II. 1. Objectives and Priorities of the National Aquaculture Development Plan

The main objective of the national aquaculture development plan is to increase aquatic animal production by aquaculture to satisfy demand for both domestic consumption and export.

National aquaculture development objectives

National aquaculture development priorities

To increase fish supply for domestic consumption
To improve income of fish farmers
To increase the country’s export earning from fish export

To increase production for export from coastal aquaculture
To support technology for aquaculture
To conduct research for genetic improvement of cultured aquatic animals.
To increase the production from natural water, i.e., reservoirs, rivers and flood areas
To establish centres for technology transfer and training
To solve problems of coastal aquaculture, e.g., disease, environmental concerns, seed production & supply
To build seawater irrigation system and waste water treatment systems
To control price of fish seed and manage seed distribution

II. 2 Process followed in formulating the aquaculture development plans and priorities

Process	Criteria	Participants
Consultative process, following the initiatives of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives	National Economic and Social Development Plan	Office of Fisheries Technical Adviser Government institutions and divisions concerned with aquaculture

The Office of Fisheries Technical Adviser, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, initiates the process of setting aquaculture development priorities.

II. 3 Implementation of the National Aquaculture Development Plans

Action plans	Objectives	Expected Results
Developing and improving aquaculture practices through research	To develop management techniques and methods to increase the efficiency of production	Increase in production
Research for development of new economic species for aquaculture	To develop management techniques and methods to increase the efficiency of production	Increase in production of new economic species, e.g., oyster, seaweed, mullet fish, artemia, mud crab, squid and sea cucumber, etc.
Improving and regulating the quality standard of aquatic animals by genetic research	To develop management techniques and methods to increase the efficiency of production	Products meeting international standards Increase in export
Establishment of standards for hatcheries and aquaculture farms through certification of high standards to registered hatcheries and farms	To develop management techniques and methods to increase the efficiency of production	Standards and regulations for hatcheries and farms management, especially for marine shrimp
Studies and research of technologies and methodologies for culture and breeding of local aquatic animals and rare species for releasing in natural waters or culture in ponds	To develop management techniques and methods to increase the efficiency of production	Conservation and biodiversity studies Culture species diversification
Extension and supporting aquaculture technologies to government staffs and farmers	To develop management techniques and methods to increase the efficiency of production	Improvement of the production system High production
Mapping areas that suitable for aquaculture	To facilitate development & regulation	Control and regulate aquaculture development Pollution control
Pollution control by fishery laws and regulations, cooperation between government agencies concerned with water quality detection	To protect the environment	Sustainable use of fishery resources Sustainable production
Control areas and number of farms for balancing of natural environment arrangement of coastal aquaculture system classification of the areas of marine shrimp culture Registration of shrimp farms and hatcheries	To protect the environment	Sustainable use of fishery resources Pollution control
Support to Department of Fisheries to in control and regulate use of chemotherapeutants in aquaculture Animal food law 2525 B.E. Research on effects of medical/chemical used in aquaculture	To protect the environment	Standards and regulations Pollution control
Assessment of environmental effects of industrial aquaculture	To protect the environment	Standards and regulations Pollution control and management
Water use management and support for infrastructure development	To develop and support infrastructure	Infrastructure development High production
Rehabilitation of natural canals and rivers	To develop and support infrastructure	More water for aquaculture High production
Support to the soft loan project for aquaculture	To develop and support infrastructure	Expand aquaculture Increase production
Establish cooperation between institutions concerned with the improvement of infrastructure, e.g., road, electricity , tape water etc.	To develop and support infrastructure	Improved infrastructure Increased production
Support factors for production, e.g., fish seed, fertilizers and fishfeed to farmers especially those that suffer from calamities like floods.	To develop and support infrastructure	Improved culture systems Increased production
Support the establishment of fish seed production centre in every village, as needed	To develop and support infrastructure	Available fish seed Decreased production cost
Support for establishment of water supply systems for aquaculture	To develop and support infrastructure	Increased water supply Decreased in production cost
Support commercial scale aquaculture	To develop and support infrastructure	Improved culture systems Increased in production
Activate concerned government agencies which arrange to use public land for aquaculture and cut off the process of using public land for aquaculture	To develop and support infrastructure	Increased production areas Increased in production
Identification and study of the breeding areas of aquatic animals	To develop and support infrastructure	Increased seed supply Increased production
Establish the central market of aquaculture product	To develop and support infrastructure	Higher price of aquaculture products Balanced demand and supply
Appoint fishery attaché in important importing countries to promote Thai fishery products	To develop and support infrastructure	Increased volume and value of fishery export s Increased export earnings
Support development of fish farmers co-operatives	To develop and support infrastructure	Control price of aquaculture products Higher price of aquaculture products
Development of fishery data analysis system and information services to fish farmers	To develop and support infrastructure	Increased production Balanced of demand and supply

Changes and emerging issues resulting from implementation of the aquaculture development plans

Action plans	Changes/effects	Emerging Issues	Actions required
All action plans (see above)	Increased aquaculture production and development of aquaculture systems	Disease identification and control Ornamental fish production	Disease diagnostic facilities and units Support for ornamental fish production for export

Critical aquaculture development needs that are not addressed by existing aquaculture development programs and projects:

Aquatic animal disease control - (1) more equipment and more clinics which can provide diagnostic facilities for farmers; (2) research on developing new methods which can help in the development of rapid diagnostic facilities.
Ornamental fish production for export - the government should respond to the need for research on and promotion of ornamental fish and other aquatic animals, including the provision of trade and investment support to the private sector.

II. 4 Issues and Needs in Formulating and Implementing National Aquaculture Development Plans

Category	Issues	Constraints	Required action
Administrative & institutional aspects	Lack of cooperation among related agencies	Culture and tradition	Improved coordination Re-orientation & training of staff
Legal	Overlapping jurisdictions	Too many government departments and agencies are concerned with aquaculture	Review of fisheries laws and regulations
Information	Ineffective technology transfer Poor technology transfer	Reluctance of many researchers to present their results	Change in the system of promotion Improve extension work
Human resources	Lack of skilled personnel	Insufficient number of scientists in aquaculture	Recognition and promotion for aquaculture specialists
Technical	Lack of management guidelines		Evolve management guidelines
Physical and environmental	Pollution and environmental factors	Rapid increase of industrial areas	Improvement & enforcement of environmental laws and regulation
Socio-economic	Low price of aquaculture products Difficulty in recruiting workers	Indirect market, i.e. many middlemen Low wages for physical work	Improvement of government in marketing of products Use of foreign workers

III. National Aquaculture Development Research

The Office of Fisheries Technical Adviser is responsible for coordinating national fisheries and aquaculture development researches.

III. 1 Objectives and Priorities of the National Aquaculture Development Research

Objectives of Aquaculture Development Research

Priority Research Areas

To undertake research in support of national aquaculture development and assist in establishing aquaculture as an economically viable industry

Tiger prawn culture
Brackishwater fish culture
Fish genetics
Freshwater prawn culture
Fish breeding and culture systems
Fish nutrition and feed
Freshwater fish culture
Fish toxicology and fish disease
Oyster culture
Seaweed culture

Aquaculture development research needs are:

The problems of environmental impacts and sustainability of aquaculture
Improved culture technologies and systems
Fish nutrition
Fish disease control and prevention
Genetic improvement of fish stock
Quality of seed and brooders
Quality of fishery products

III. 2 Processes and Criteria Used in Formulating Aquaculture Research Plan and Priorities

Type of organization	Process	Criteria	Participants
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives	Central initiatives, followed by consultation with related development and research agencies	National Economic and Social Development Plan # 7 and # 8 National aquaculture development needs	Office of Fisheries Technical Adviser Institutions and divisions that are concerned with aquaculture
Research organizations (five academic institutions responding to the survey)	Individual initiatives in preparing research proposals Peer reviews	Farmers’ or local needs Scientific merits and contribution to scientific knowledge Area of competence National development needs	University & Faculty Funding agency

III. 3 National Aquaculture Research Capacity

List of key aquaculture research organizations

Research organizations	Affiliation	Areas of competence
Freshwater Fisheries Division	Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives	Freshwater fish culture
National Inland Fisheries Institute	Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives	Freshwater fish culture
Coastal Aquaculture Division	Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives	Coastal aquaculture
National Institute of Coastal Aquaculture	Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives	Coastal aquaculture
Phuket Marine Biological Centre	Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives	Fish biology
Feed Quality Control and Development Division	Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives	Feed quality control & development
Aquatic Animal Health Research Institute	Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives	Fish health control and management
National Aquaculture Genetic Research Institute	Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives	Fish genetics
Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University	Ministry of University Affairs	Fish biology; Feed development
Dept. of Fisheries Technology, Maejo University	Ministry of University Affairs	Freshwater aquaculture; Environmental management; Fish genetics and breeding

Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University	Ministry of University Affairs	Breeding; Culture; Nutrition; Genetics; Health management; Environmental management; aquaculture management
Dept. of Fisheries, Khon Kaen University	Ministry of University Affairs	Breeding; Nutrition; Biology; Water quality management
Dept. of Biochemistry, Prince of Songkla University	Ministry of University Affairs	Nutrition and feed; Intensive shrimp farming system; Physiology

Adequacy of research capacity in meeting the national aquaculture development needs

Thailand is one of the main aquaculture producers in the world. It has reasonable research capacity to address many aquaculture development needs. However, research capacity in shrimp/prawn broodstock management and disease diagnostics requires some improvement.

III. 4 Programmes of the Key Aquaculture Research Institutions

List of the aquaculture research programmes of the five research organizations (see item VI for the list of organizations)

Programmes	Objectives	Date Implemented
Development of sustainable black tiger shrimp culture	To develop technology on hatchery and grow-out ponds, with emphasis on farm management, health management, genetics and nutritional approach	1996-2000
Management of natural resources of freshwater and marine aspects	To study aquatic animals population of water reservoirs To study environmental impact assessment of water resources To study marine resources management in terms of aquatic animal population	1996-1998
Development of potential aquaculture for economic aquatic animals and plants	To study the problems that retard the development of potential species for aquaculture To identify new and potential species of aquatic animals and plants	1996-1999
Genetic approach for the development of new strains and species	To apply genetic technology to some economic species	1992-
Development of diets for aquatic animals using low-cost ingredients	To develop low-cost feeds for fish
Mountain frog culture	To identify potential species for culture	1996-
Rearing techniques for seashores in natural conditions	To develop culture techniques for seashores in laboratory and natural conditions	1986-1989
Hatching and nursing of swimming crab in earthen ponds	To develop nursing techniques for mass culture of swimming crabs in earthen ponds	1993-
Use of aquatic organisms for water reconditioning in closed recirculating seawater system	To study the optimum density of seabass in recirculating seawater system	1994
Feed formulation for banana prawn	To produce suitable feed for prawn
Behavioral studies on banana prawn	To determine the optimal amount and feeding regimes for banana prawn	1994-1997
Physical factors affecting growth and survival	To determine the optimal salinity for growth and survival

Number of research personnel of the five research organizations and the Department of Fisheries by area of specialization

Specialization	Ph D	M Sc	B Sc	Res. Assist.	Total
Biological sciences	53	160	320	221
Physical and engineering sciences
Social sciences		4	4	47	55
Economics		5	7	1	13
Legislation			1	2	3
Others
Total	53	169	332

III. 5 Dissemination and Utilization of Research Outputs

The five research organizations reported that research outputs are disseminated through training courses, newsletters, technical papers, journal publications, seminars, newspapers, and radio and TV.

III. 6 Issues and Needs in Planning and Implementing National Aquaculture Research

The five research organizations have identifies the following issues and needs in planning and implementing their programs.

Category	Issues	Constraints	Required Actions
Administrative and institutional aspects	Low priority given to research Lack of funds & support Lack of coordination and collaboration among related organizations and overlap in research activities	Budgetary constraints Organizational structure & procedures are not appropriate for management of rapidly expanding aq. sector Concentration of research on one area excludes/limits activities in other areas Main function of institution is teaching	More support for research Institutional development and linkages, including coordination of research programmes at the central level and designation of coordinator of each particular research field Development of broader research vision Identify research funding sources (government, state enterprise or private sector)
Legal aspects
Information	Ineffective and inadequate access to external information Weak technology transfer (see human resources below)		Promote & establish regional aquaculture information exchange network Strengthen technology transfer, including technology validation Coordination among extension, research and farming communities
Human resources and research competence	Lack of skilled personnel Lack of training in aquaculture, e.g., extension staff and technicians are trained in agricultural colleges	Inexperienced young scientists Early stage of development of organizations Government policy on limiting new positions	Training courses, further studies and study tours Budgetary allocation for training Policy change allowing hiring of research personnel
Research facilities	Lack of equipment and facilities Lack of field laboratories	Early stage of development of many research organizations	Establishment of field laboratories, appropriate aquarium and analytical laboratories

Category	Issues	Constraints	Required Actions
Research environment	Lack of incentives and/or low moral Lack of interest in field research in rural areas Lack of on-farm research	Most scientists are occupied with work for private sector or in commercial areas Lack of recognition and rewards for on-farm and field research Teaching overload	Policies and incentive schemes to recognize on-farm and field research in rural areas Provision of supplementary income or honorarium Fewer course (teaching) assignments

Other suggestions by the research organizations:

A communication and/or database that will prevent duplication of research or provide information on such things as research committees on each research issue, ex., for black tiger shrimp, for which commodity such a committee exists. The committee has developed research guidelines and gives grants but very few researchers know this.
Need for new and capable researchers to be involved in [the development of] research policies critical to the research program.
Need for linkages with NACA and other countries on aquaculture research.
Nature of research topics requires well-trained staff in addition to laboratories, experimental stations and collaboration with the private sector.

IV. List of On-Going Aquaculture Projects of Aquaculture Development Agency

Projects	Date impl’ted	Target beneficiaries	Expected outputs	Implementing organizations
Development of management techniques and improved aquaculture methods
Developing and improving methods of aquaculture	1993	Fishfarmers	Increased production	DOF & OAE Academic institutions
Development and research on new economic species for aquaculture	1993		Increased production	DOF Nat. Research Council Academic institutions
Improving and regulating quality standards of aquatic animals by genetic research	1993		More export products	DOF Academic institutions
Establishment of standards for hatcheries and aquaculture farms	1993		Certificates given to high standards registered hatcheries & farms	DOF Shrimp farm associations Private sector
Development of technologies and methodologies for culture and breeding of local aquatic animals and rare species	1993		To protect & conserve rare species and useful local species	DOF Academic institutions
Extension and supporting aquaculture technologies to government staff and farmers	1993		High production	DOF Academic institutions Aquaculture associations
Mapping areas suitable for aquaculture	1993		Pollution control	DOF Provinces concerned Office of Environ. Planning
Environmental protection
Pollution control through fishery laws and regulations	1993		Sustainable use of fishery resources	DOF Provinces concerned Dept. of Forestry Dept. of Environ. Quality Extension Shrimp farm associations
Balancing the natural environment by controlling areas and number of farms	1993		Pollution control	DOF Office of Environ. Policy and Planning
Control and regulation of the use of drugs and chemicals used in aquaculture	1993		Pollution control	DOF Dept. of Industrial Control Ministry of Pub. Health
Support of the recommendations of the report on environmental effects of industrial aquaculture	1993		Pollution control and management	DOF Dept. of Environ. Quality Extension
Development of and support for infrastructure for aquaculture
Water use management and other factors (ex., funding)	1993		High production	DOF Dept. of Water Irrigation
Rehabilitation of natural channels and rivers	1993		High production	DOF Dept. of Water Irrigation
Support of project on soft loans for aquaculture	1993		Increased production	DOF Financial agencies
Building up cooperation between institutions concerned with the improvement of infrastructure	1993		Increased production	DOF Ministry of Transp. Dept. of Water Irrigation Provinces concerned
Support of production factors,	1993		Increased production	DOF Ministry of Interior
Establishment of fish seed production centers in every village	1993		Lower production costs	DOF Provinces concerned
Provision of water supply system for aquaculture	1993		Lower production cost	DOF Dept. of Water Irrigation
Support for commercial-scale aquaculture	1993		Increased production	DOF Private sector
Development of more areas for aquaculture (through discussion with concerned government agencies) by using public land for aquaculture	1993		Increased production	DOF Dept. of Forestry
Studies on the breeding areas for aquatic animals	1993		Increased production	DOF Provincial fishery officers concerned
Establishment of a central market for aquaculture products	1993		A balanced supply and demand situation	DOF OAE Dept. of Internal Comm. Private sector
Designation of a fishery attaché in important importing countries to look after and promote fishery products	1993		Increased national income	DOF Ministry of Foreign Affairs OAE
Support for the establishment of fishfarmers’ cooperatives	1993		Higher price of aquaculture products	DOF Private sector
Development of a system of fishery data analysis and information service for fishfarmers	1993		Achievement of a balance in supply and demand	DOF OAE Ministry of Commerce

V. List of On-going Projects of Main Aquaculture research organizations

Title of Projects	Duration From/To	Target benefic-iaries	Expected outputs	Implement organiz.	Budget (in Baht)
Development of techniques for intensive farming of banana prawn			Intensive farming of economically important prawn	Prince of Songkhla Univ.	4.9m
Biology of Thai northeast native and introduced aquatic animals of economic value	1995-1996			KKU	0.386
Biology and culture systems of freshwater rotifer, water flea and brine shrimp	1995-1996			KKU	0.070
Preliminary study on culture of river barb(Cyclocheilichthys sp.)	1995- 1997			KKU	0.050
Effects of salinity on growth and survival rates for walking catfish larval rearing and its culture: Implications on saline soil area	1995-1996			KKU	0.080
Utilization of economic crops to decrease soil fertility in fishponds	1995-1996			KKU	0.075
Study on growth of the three-spotted gourami fed with various artificial feed	1995-1996			KKU	0.080
Studies on age and growth of climbing perch from scales and otoliths	1996-1997			KKU	0.0997
Comparison of walking catfish hematology rearing at various saline water: Implications for fish culture in saline soil area	1996-1997			KKU	0.0994
Study on the effects of estradiol (EST) and diethylstilbestrol on inducement of sex reversal in female sepat siam	1996-1997			KKU	0.1495
Preliminary study on culture of river barb (Cychocheilichthys sp.)	1996-1997			KKU
Fisheries potential research and development on saline soil in Northeast Thailand	1996-97			KKU	0.143
Study on effect of photoperiod and temperature on gonadal recrudescence of Clarias macrocephalus	1995-97			Kasetsart Univ	0.400
Management and detoxification of metabolites in marine shrimp ponds	1995-97			Kasetsart Univ	4.685
Improved use of artemia technology on integrated shrimp and fish farming	1996			Kasetsart Univ	0.400
Culture of economically important micro-algae	1995-96			Kasetsart Univ	1.309
The use of artemia in fish and shrimp hatchery and potential areas for artemia production in Thailand	1995-96			Kasetsart Univ
Species diversity of free living marine nematodes in shrimp culture ponds in Thailand	1995-97			Kasetsart Univ
Preservation of natural colour and quality of dried shrimp	1996			Kasetsart Univ
Research on environmental and socio-economic impact of the farming of tiger prawn in freshwater areas	1996			Kasetsart Univ	0.700
Rearing of seahorse in laboratory and in natural ponds			Culture techniques for seahorse	Burapha Univ.	0.050
Development of sustainable black tiger shrimp culture	1996-2000		Technology on hatchery and grow-out ponds	DOF MiOAC
Management of natural resources of freshwater and marine aspects	1996-1998		Fishery policies on management of natural resources
Development of potential aquaculture for economic aquatic animals and plans	1996-1999		Identification of potential new species of aquatic animals and plans
Genetic studies: Development of new strains of species	1992-		Improved production
Development of diets for aquatic animals using low-cost ingredients	1995-		Low-cost feed formulas
Mountain frog culture	1996-1997	Local farmers	Evaluation of potential species for aquaculture	Maejo Univ.	0.200

VI. List of the Research Organizations Responding to this Survey

Department of Fisheries Technology (Faculty of Agricultural Production), Maejo University
Department of Aquaculture (Faculty of Fisheries), Kasetsart University
Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University
Department of Fisheries (Faculty of Agriculture), Khon Kaen University (KKU)
Department of Biochemistry (Faculty of Sciences), Prince of Songkhla University

Viet Nam

I. Background

In Vietnam, aquaculture has significant socio-economic benefits. Aquaculture contributes about 30-40% of total fish production, which in turn contributes about 50 % (equivalent to US$ 260 million) of total exports of the fishery sector in 1995. Aquaculture has offered opportunities for employment and income in rural and coastal communities, and associated industries such as processing and feed supply. Fisheries, including aquaculture, contributes 9% to GDP.

Aquaculture is carried out on all types of water bodies, covering all possible species and utilizing different technologies. For freshwater aquaculture, the primary focus of the government policy is on increasing supply of fish protein for domestic consumption through integrated aquaculture, development of cage culture and enhancing stocks in rivers and reservoirs, and increasing rice-fish culture. For coastal aquaculture, the policy is focused on increasing production of export commodities through emphasis on shrimp and crab culture, marine cage culture of high-value species such as grouper, seabass and yellowtail, mollusc culture, and seaweed culture.

Aquaculture statistics indicates that total aquaculture production was 380,000 tons in 1994, from a production area of 568,000 hectares. About 350,000 people are directly employed in aquaculture.

II. National Aquaculture Development Plan

II. 1 Objectives and priorities of the national aquaculture development plan

Aquaculture Development Objectives	Aquaculture Development Priorities
To achieve high production to meet domestic and export demands To generate employment opportunities To achieve sustainable aquaculture in combination with resource management and environmental protection To strengthen industrialization and modernization of aquaculture	Production of healthy shrimp seed Production of feed for cultured aquatic animals Disease prevention and control Environmental management Policies and regulations - national and local policies; aquaculture legislation

II. 2 Process followed in formulating the aquaculture development plans and priorities

Processes	Criteria	Participants
Central government initiative	National development needs (e.g., national need for seed)	Various departments of the Ministry of Fisheries Research Institute for Aquaculture 1, 2 and 3; Research Institute for Marine Products Government and private hatcheries Private sector

The Department of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Fisheries is the agency responsible for planning and coordination of the national aquaculture development plan. The Department of Science and Technology, Department of Fishery Management and Department of Resource Protection, Ministry of Fisheries are the agencies responsible for fisheries management policies and legislation, technology development and management, implementation of fishery extension and protection of environment and natural resources.

II. 3 Implementation of the National Aquaculture Development Plans

The strategies used to implement the national aquaculture development plan are:

Sustainable development, in combination with protection of resources and the environment, disease prevention and control, and economic development.
Use of the family unit as active economic units, the family being the main force in aquaculture. State enterprises assume a major role in the provision of services and materials.
Increased investment in coastal and rural zones.
Increased rate of aquaculture development within the fishery sector.
Market development and production links with processing and consumption points.
Conduct of more applied research.
Adoption of advanced technologies from other countries to increase production.

Action plans and objectives of the national aquaculture development plan

Action plans	Objectives	Target beneficiaries	Expected results
Crustacean culture	To cultivate an area of 460,000 hectares and to produce 191,000 tons	Fishfarmers	An increase in intensive culture of crustacean (50-60%) and semi-intensive culture by 20-30%
Fish culture	To achieve a production area of 57,300 hectares and produce 711,000 tons.	Fishfarmers	Development of high-value species for culture
Aquatic animals program	To produce for export 6000 tons	Fishfarmers	Culture of frogs, turtle, ornamental fish and other aquatic animals for export and to supply needs of population
Seed production	To produce 19 billion shrimp fry, 6-8 billion of fish fry and 30-40 million of mollusc fry	Fishfarmers	Sufficient seed supply to meet national demand.
Environmental protection and disease control	To protect the environment To prevent disease To produce chemicals and drugs for fish diseases	Fishfarmers	Disease prevention and sustenance of environment
Seaweed culture	To attain a production area of 130,000 hectares To produce seaweeds for export	Fishfarmers	Increased exports
Fish cage culture	To supply seed (about 1500 MT)	Fishfarmers	Improved living conditions of rural population

Changes and emerging issues resulting from implementation of the aquaculture development plans

Action plans	Change or effect	Issues	Required action
Crustacea culture	Widespread development of shrimp culture Increased production	Supply of broodstock, shrimp seed and crab juveniles Disease and environment Budget allocation Feed supply	Studies on broodstock, healthy fry, disease prevention Establishment of policy on allocation of funds
Fish culture	Development of facilities and technologies for seed production Development of techniques in freshwater fish culture Initiation of marine fish cage culture & brackishwater culture	Degradation of genus Cage culture fish disease Seed supply for marine cage culture	Studies on disease prevention and cure Artificial seed production for grouper, amberjack, seabass Selection of genus
Mollusc culture	Culture of pearl oyster and mollusc	Land use policies Export and processing Seed production	Study on Seed production Marketing Land use policy - zoning
Culture of special aquatic animals for export	Development of high economic value products for exports Improved living condition of rural community	Seed supply Lack of production capital Feed supply	Seed production technologies Establish production credit system
Aquaculture extension	Increased farmers’ knowledge on aquaculture technologies	Lack of culture technology models	Development of culture technology models
Formulation of policies and regulations	Stabilized aquaculture sector Planned sector development		Dissemination of aquaculture policies and regulations

II. 4 Issues and Needs in Formulating and Implementing National Aquaculture Development Plans

Category	Issues	Constraints	Required action
Administrative and institutional aspects	Uncoordinated expansion of aquaculture in coastal areas Uncoordinated planning	Lack of cooperation among responsible organizations in formulating plans & policies	More [effective] leadership Dialogue between and among the fisheries, agriculture and irrigation sectors
Legal	Late issuance of some legal codes & regulations	Lack of legal personnel at state agencies	Train more legal staff in state agencies
Information	Ineffective and inefficient transfer of technology Lack of modern means of information dissemination	Lack of information & extension facilities Incomplete information & extension organization	Increase investment on facilities. Develop information network linking related institutes, organizations, universities and local offices.
Human resources	Lack of skilled persons and experts in aquaculture Weak problem solving capacity	Lack of training opportunities Low pay in the public sector	Improve training programs Improve dialogue and partnership between research community and farming community
Technical	Lack of culture technologies & models for different ecological regions	Diversity of ecological zones Low level of technology management	Studies on biology and culture techniques for each ecological zone Exchange of experts
Physical and environmental	Lack of EIA in construction of farms and establishment of culture zones	Lack of planning & zoning in development of coastal aquaculture	Planning in establishing culture zones. Improve technology for farm construction
Socio-economic	Lack of credit Limited market mechanism	Limited funds Difficulty in obtaining credit	Establish credit systems Improve procedures in obtaining credit

III. National Aquaculture Development Research

III. 1 Objectives and priorities of the national aquaculture development research

The Department of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Fisheries is the agency responsible for planning and implementing the national aquaculture development research pans and programs.

The main functions of research organizations are:

To undertake aquaculture development research
To study the interaction between environment and aquaculture for purposes of protecting the environment and ecosystems
To develop artificial breeding technology for species in areas with varying ecosystems
To study the proper use of land, water ad fisheries resources, environmental protection and sustainable aquaculture development
To adopt and improve foreign technology and evolve new technologies that are suitable for conditions in Vietnam
To disseminate research findings
To make policy recommendations on the management of science and technology and industrial copyrights

Aquaculture development research priorities and action plans/programmes

Priority Areas	Duration	Expected Outputs	Target beneficiaries	Implementing organizations
Artificial seed production		Higher seed production and reduction of natural seed exploitation	Fishfarmers	Research Institute for Aquaculture Univ. & colleges Local exp. stations
Models and species suitable for geographic and ecological conditions of each area		Increased productivity and selection of suitable species for culture		Research Institute for Aquaculture Univ. & colleges Local exp. stations
Environment and fish disease		Sustainable environmental protection Solution to disease problems Increased productivity Improved quality of cultured fish		Research Institute for Aquaculture Univ. & colleges Local exp. stations
Fish genetics	1996-1998	Preservation of gene pool To produce monosex of tilapia		RIA No. 2 RIA No. 1
Fish and shrimp disease:	1996-1999	Development of preventive and control methods		RIA No. 2 AAHRI
Hatchery	1996-1997	Propagation of seabass Propagation of river catfish		RIA No. 2 MOF
Processing	1996-1998	Processing technology		RIA No, 2 NIF
Giant prawn aquaculture	1994-1997	Technology transfer in the Mekong Delta		RIA No. 2
Natural resource management	1996-1997	Better management and improvement of wetland fish production		RIA No 2 MOF
Artemia production	1996-1998	Development of technology for artemia salt		RIA No. 2 MOF
Research and experimental farming of some imported shrimp and fish species		Increased productivity and yield	Fishfarmers	Research Institute for Aquaculture Univ. & colleges Local exp. stations

III.2 Processes and Criteria Used in Formulating Aquaculture Research Plans and Priorities

Type of organization	Processes	Criteria	Key participants
National aquaculture research sector	Consultative process: Collect information from farmers	Farmers’ needs National development needs Regional development needs	Farmers Research institutes Universities Provincial experiment centres Extension centres Associations and service companies
Research organizations	Consultative	Farmers’ needs Local needs and requirements National development objectives Availability of resources Research interest Private-sector funding	Faculty Farmers Local governments Regional and international RIA Scientific Council

III. 3 National Aquaculture Research Capacity

List of key aquaculture research organizations

Research organization	Affiliation	Area of competence
Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1	Ministry of Fisheries	Freshwater aquaculture Fish diseases
Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 2	Ministry of Fisheries	Seed production and giant prawn commercial production Marine fisheries Marine seed and shrimp production Environment and fish disease
Aquaculture Research Centre No. 3	Ministry of Fisheries	Marine seed production Shrimp commercial farming Mollusc and seaweed culture
Research Institute for Marine Products	Ministry of Fisheries	Seed production Shrimp, fish and seaweed culture
Information Centre for Fisheries Economics and Science and Technology	Ministry of Fisheries	Scientific and economic information of the whole fisheries sector

Adequacy of research capacity in meeting the national aquaculture development needs

National aquaculture development priorities	Priority research needs	Adequacy
Shrimp farming development	Water sources and water quality management Breeding broodstock & Seed production Feed production for shrimp farming Disease control and prevention Selection of suitable farming models for each ecosystem
Seed production and marine fish culture of species with high export value	Artificial seed production Feed production Cages and net system in farming locations
Marine crab culture	Seed production Selection of best suitable model Feed for crab Disease control
Sex reversal of tilapia by industrial method	Seed production Procedures for commercial production Disease control
Imported fish species with high economic value	Domesticating Experimental farming Seed production at suite Selection of suitable farming models Farming procedures and disease control
Asiatic soft shell turtle farming for export	Seed production Technology for commercial farming Feed production for commercial farming Disease control

III. 4 Programs of the Key Aquaculture Development Research Institutions

The objectives of the six research organizations (see appendix 2 for the list of the organizations) are:

To study models of aquaculture (shrimp, crab, mollusc, fish, seaweed)
To study seed supply (shrimp, crab, mollusc, grouper)
To study aquaculture and the environment, including disease

Priority areas	Objectives	Duration From/To
Environment and natural resources management
Mariculture
Freshwater aquaculture
Shrimp seed and culture	To ensure sufficient supply of seed To develop culture models	1991-
Crab culture	To ensure sufficient seed supply To develop culture know-how	1991-95
Fingerlings and supply of marine fish	To develop seed culture	1991-96
Seaweed culture	To develop culture technology	1991-
Transplantation and acclimatization of fishes	To increase fish production	1985-
Gene pool preservation of freshwater fishes	To preserve the pure lines of main culture fish species	1985-
Improvement of fish seed quality	To increase productivity	1990-
Prophylaxis and therapy of fish and shrimp in freshwater and brackishwater areas	Disease treatment and prevention	1985-
Seed and culture of shrimp	To produce more seed and gain more knowledge on aquaculture	1985-90-
Artemia culture	Mass production of cyst	1985-90
Seed production and culture of scallop	To ensure sufficient seed supply and increased production	1991-95
Lobster seed supply and culture	Development of technology for lobster production	1991-95
Seed production and pearl culture	To develop seed production and culture technology for pearls	1996-2000
Study on natural resource of lobster	Production technology	1996-2000

Number of research personnel by area of specialization

Specialization	Ph D	M Sc	B Sc	Res. Assist.	Total
Biological sciences	27	19	221	43
Physical and engineering sciences	7		15		22
Social sciences		1	6		7
Economics			1		1
Legal studies			2		2
Other (various fields)	1		23	55	79
Total	35	20		98

III. 5 Dissemination and Utilization of Research Outputs

Target audience	Methods used
Policy planners	Technical manuals; Workshops; Conferences; Reports; Seminars
Administrators and managers	Technical guides; Documents; Regular meetings (six-month intervals)
Private sector/supporting industry	Technology transfer (application of research results); Television and radio; Leaflets; Field visits; Demonstration farms; Training; Technical assistance Study tour
Fishfarming community	Technology transfer (application of research results); Reports; Student-private sector cooperative projects
Research community	Verification of technology; Publications; Workshops; Scientific papers (publication)
Extension community	Technology transfer; Leaflets; Video cassettes; Training; Meetings and workshops
Public in general	Technology transfer; TV and other media

Research organizations reported that research outputs are disseminated through implementing the research projects in farming localities to enable the immediate transfer of the technologies to the farmers and direct transfer of technology to local authorities. However, it also acknowledges that the task of technology transfer should rightfully be done by a technology transfer centre. One research organization said that its research outputs are disseminated through fisheries extension activities of the government, NGOs and international projects.

III. 6 Issues and Needs in Planning and Implementing National Aquaculture

Development Research

Category	Issues	Constraints	Required Actions
Administrative and institutional aspects	Lack of proper coordination among related agencies	Lack of coordination mechanisms	Improve management procedures
Legal aspects
Information	Inefficient delivery mechanisms of information Lack of information exchange Lack of information	Limited knowledge of staff Weak knowledge of foreign language Lack of information resources Lack of funds	Training Strengthen foreign language skills Strengthen information exchange Coordination with National Information Institute
Human resources and research competence	Lack of skilled personnel	Inadequate level of training & knowledge Older personnel have not completed their training	Provide local and foreign training Strengthen younger staff with complete training
Research facilities	Inadequate & old equipment Lack of research facilities	Limited investment in research facilities Lack of funds for research	Acquire more equipment, replace old ones Increase budget for research
Research environment	Underutilization of research findings	Lack of awareness of farmers on research results	Organize more training courses for fishermen

Other suggestions:

Development of collaborative projects with other regional aquaculture organizations
Promotion of sharing of experiences and information and technology with other countries
Improvement of research facilities through assistance of international organizations
Establishment of an information exchange system with regional programs

IV. List of On-Going Projects of Aquaculture development agency

Projects	Duration From/To	Target beneficiaries	Objectives	Implement. organiz.	Budget (in VN dong)
Shrimp seed supply for the North	1995-1996	Farmers	Network of seed supply in the north	RIMP Local offices	400 m
Crab seed production and culture	1991-1996	Farmers	Development of technology	RIMP RIA No. 3 Local fishery office	400m
Production of seed of high economic value (mollusc)	1991-to date	Farmers	Supply of mollusc seed for industrial culture	RIMP RIA No. 3 CAC
Production and culture of mollusc	1970-1995	Farmers	Development of technology	RIMP RIA No 3 CAC
Freshwarer fish seed production and culture	1991-1995	Farmers	Semi-intensive culture of Indian carp	RIA No. 1 RIA No. 2 Local fishery offices
Production of seed and culture of economic freshwater fish in the south	1985-1995	Farmers	Supply of seed Culture technology	RIA No. 2 Local fishery offices
Production of industrial feed for shrimp culture		Farmers	Supply of pellet food for shrimp culture	RIA No. 2 SEAPRODEX
Seaweed culture	1973-to date	Farmers	Culture technology Processing technology	RIMP Oceanographic Institute Hanoi Univ. Local fishery office
Marine fish cage culture	1991-to date	Farmers	Culture technique of marine commercial fish Seed supply	RIMP Local offices
Production of living food for larval stages of aquatic animals	1986-to date	Hatchery owners	Supply of living food organisms	RIMP RIA Nos. 1-3 Fish Institute Cantho Univ. Local offices
Extension	1994-to date	Farmers	Training of farmers	Dept. Of Fish. Management Extension offices (regional & local levels)
Mekong Delta Master Plan	1990-to date	Farmers	Increased inland production	WES program AIT RIA No, 2 Cantho Univ.	World Bank UNDP MRC
Formulation of policies and regulations	1991-to date	Farmers Managers	Management and sustainability in aquaculture	Dept. of Fishery Management Dept. of Resource Protection

V. List of On-going Projects of Aquaculture development research organizations

Title of Projects	Duration From/To	Target beneficiaries	Expected outputs	Impementing organiz.	Budget (in VN dong)
Mixed shrimp-fishery model	1995-1998	Farmers Policy makers	Improved farming systems in the Mekong Delta	RIA No. 2 ACIAR
Extension of aquaculture in the Mekong Delta	1997-2000	Farmers	Improved productivity	RIA No. 2 MRC
Spawning and migration of Mekong fishes	1997-2000	Fishermen Policy makers Scientists	Baseline data for policy panning	RIA No. 2 Mekong River Commission	US$ 5m US$ 0.534
Wetland project for the Mekong Delta	1996-1997	Fishermen Policy makers Scientists	Guidelines and management systems for wetlands	RIA No. 2 MRC	150 m
Preservation of gene pool of fish species	1994-	Farmers	Pure lines of high quality fish species	RIA No. 1 RIA No. 2	VND300m
Selection of common carp	1980-	Farmers	Fish seed production technology	RIA No. 2	VND500m
Sex reversal of tilapia	1995-	Farmers	Male fingerlings	RIA No. 1’ RIA No 2 Local fishery depts.	VND200m
Prophylaxis and therapy of fish diseases	1995-		Methods for disease prevention and treatment	RIA No. 2 Inst. Of Vet. Science	VND200m
Environmental survey on the Red river tilapia	1994-	Farmers	Data and information	RIA No. 1 Hanoi Univ	VND500m
Rotation crops (fish-crab-shrimp) in brackishwater aquaculture	1996-	Farmers	Development of technology	RIA No. 1 Local fish. Depts. in coastal areas	VND200m
Genetic improvement of farmed tilapia (GIFT)	1995	Farmers	Tilapia culture technology	RIA No. 1 ICLARM
Integrated fish farming in the VAC ecosystem	1995			RIA No. 1 AIT
Use of waste water in aquaculture	1995			RIA No. 1 AIT
Cage culture in reservoirs	1996			RIA No. 1 AIT
Shrimp culture in Nghe An province	1995			RIA No. 1 AIT
Development of freshwater fishery in wet highland	1995-2001	Rural farmers	Development of technology	RIA No. 3 Mekong Delta	US$ 0.6m VND800m
Institutional strengthening of aquaculture (project components are listed below)*	1995-1998	Mekong farmers	Strengthening of aquaculture	Cantho Univ. (trough the West-East-South Program) Fish Culture Research Institute (Hungary) ICLARM (for socio-economic studies)	US$ 2 m
Improvement of integrated farming in Mekong Delta	1995-1998	Farmers	Development of integrated farming	Cantho University Other depts of the University Mekong Rice Research Institute
Study of Mekong catfish	1996-1999	Farmers	Increased production	Cantho University EU
Shrimp seed and shrimp culture	1973-to date	Farmers	Increased production
Shrimp seed supply for the north	1995-1996	Farmers	Supply of seed	FAO RIMP
Mollusc production and culture (seed and culture technology)	1991-1996	Farmers	Develop crab production; increase productivity of mollusc	RCA No. 3 Province (Thanh Hoa) Central Aquaculture Com. Local fishery offices RIMP
Seaweed culture	1973-to date	Farmers	Culture and processing techniques	RIMP Oceanographic Institute Hanoi Univ. Local fishery offices
Living food for fish shrimp larvae	1986-1991 1996-2000	Hatcheries	Production of living food for shrimp, fish larvae; increased survival rate of larvae	RIMP RIA Nos. 1-3
Seahorse	1995-1997		Preservation of seahorses	Inst. Of Oceanography Oxford Univ.	US$ 13,000

* The components of the project "Institutional strengthening of aquaculture" are:

Improvement of breeding techniques and production quality of common carp in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam
Evaluation of the quality of tilapia strains currently cultured in Vietnam
Artificial propagation of indigenous fish species in the Mekong Delta
Improvement of nutritional values of home-made feeds used for grow-out of economically important species
Fish pathological survey at farms, practicing the most common integrated farming systems
Improvement of sustainability of integrated farming systems in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam
Impacts of agricultural intensification and expansion on aquatic organisms and environment in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam
Identifying the technical manpower demand and research needs for aquaculture development in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam
Identification of freshwater fish of the Mekong Delta of Vietnam
Socio-economic studies

VI. List of the Research Organizations Responding to this Survey

Research Institute for Aquaculture No. I (RIA No. I)
Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 2 (RIA No.2)
Aquaculture Research Centre (RIA No. 3)
Institute of Oceanography
Research Institute of Marine Products (RIMP)
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Cantho University