Sustainable marine aquaculture is becoming a key economic sector in many coastal localities in Vietnam. However, facing challenges from climate change and environmental protection requirements, the issue of sustainable marine aquaculture models is becoming increasingly urgent. HDPE cages are emerging as a new direction to help improve efficiency, protect the environment and develop sustainable marine aquaculture. However, for this solution to be popularized, it requires the cooperation of businesses, authorities and farmers, as well as a leading unit to connect and orient the market.
Current situation: Want to do it but not easy
Most of the current marine farmers still use traditional materials such as bamboo, rattan, corrugated iron, iron or foam buoys. Although the initial investment cost is low, these materials pose many potential risks:
- Easily damaged: After only 6-12 months, cages made from bamboo and rattan will deteriorate, especially when facing harsh seawater environments.
- Unsafe: Strong storms can easily sweep away or damage makeshift cage systems.
- Environmental pollution: Debris from broken foam buoys causes serious pollution to the marine environment.
Meanwhile, large enterprises such as Australis or Marvin have long applied HDPE cages, helping to increase efficiency and protect the marine environment. Fishermen recognize the superiority of this technology and want to switch, but the high investment cost is still a significant barrier.
HDPE – Sustainable but not yet popular solution
HDPE cages offer many advantages over traditional materials:
- High durability: Withstand harsh environments, lifespan up to 15-20 years.
- Safety, stability: Sturdy design, minimizing damage caused by natural disasters.
- Environmental protection: Does not decompose into microplastics that pollute the sea.
However, high cost is the main reason why HDPE cages have not been widely popularized. Currently, large plastic manufacturers in Vietnam such as Hoa Sen, Tien Phong, STP have the ability to produce HDPE but mainly for export orặc các ngành công nghiệp khác, chưa tập trung vào thị trường nuôi biển.
Small businesses are enthusiastic, large businesses are indifferent
A paradoxical reality is taking place:
- Large businesses have sufficient production capacity and scale but are not interested in the sustainable marine aquaculture market due to low profits and small scale.
- Small businesses are very interested in developing HDPE cages for marine aquaculture but face difficulties due to high production costs and lack of long-term investment resources.
As a result, people nông dân muốn chuyển đổi nhưng lực bất tòng tâm vì không đủ khả năng chi trả.
Who will lead the game?
To solve this problem, there needs to be a unit or alliance that plays a leading role and connects the stakeholders:
- Pioneer enterprise: There needs to be a large enterprise that dares to invest long-term in research, production and providing a complete HDPE cage solution at a more reasonable price.
- Public-private partnership: The government needs to have support policies such as preferential loans, subsidies, and encourage businesses and people to convert together.
- Supply chain linkage: Connect HDPE material manufacturers, cage frame manufacturers and accessory suppliers to form a complete ecosystem, optimizing costs and operations.
Pioneer: Encourage large, potential farmers to boldly invest in modeling, creating motivation and confidence for other small-scale farmers to participate.
What is the future for sustainable marine farming?
Without any unit to lead and coordinate, the HDPE cage problem will forever be stuck in the “chicken and egg” situation – low output means high prices, low prices mean large quantities. Only with the cooperation of businesses, authorities and marine farmers can the sustainable marine farming model become a reality.
The question remains: Who will stand up to lead this game? Farmers are ready to learn and transform – what they need is a feasible solution and a pioneer capable of bringing Vietnamese marine farming to a more sustainable future.
