Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

CARD Project Progress Report

062/04VIE: Intensive in-pond raceway production
of marine finfish

MS6: SECOND SIX-MONTHLY REPORT 1
1. Institute Information
Project Name
Intensive in-pond raceway production
of marine finfish
Vietnamese Institution
Nha Trang University (the former
University of Fisheries)
Vietnamese Project Team Leader
Dr. Hoang Tung
Australian Organisation
Queensland Department of Primary
Industries & Fisheries
Australian Personnel

+61 7 3346 2711
Position:
Senior Planning
Officer, R&D
Coordination
Fax:
+61 7 3346 2727
Organisation
DPI&F
Email:


In Vietnam
Name:
Dr. Hoang Tung
Telephone:
+84.914 166 145
Position:
Director, International Centre
for Research and Training
Fax:
+84.58.831145
Organisation
Nha Trang University
Email:
2
2. Project Abstract

remains good but with a current high exchange rate/pond/day which we will look to
minimise or stop with future focus on remediating technologies for aquaculture
wastes. Modification to the raceways to include a waste sump will go part of the way
towards this goal. There has been a number of commercial entities expressing interest
to develop and trial the in-pond floating raceway systems as a potential grow-out
production unit that can be deployed into existing water bodies without expensive
construction or site works. Uptake of this technology will depend on the outcomes of
an economic analysis to determine cost of production. An extended abstract has been
prepared for the World Aquaculture Society’s 2007 Conference in Texas, U.S.
Negotiations are continuing with commercial operators, Good Fortune Bay, to include
cobia (Rachycentron canadum) trials next year and the Northern Fisheries Centre to
include estuary cod (Epinephelus coioides).
In Vietnam, preparatory works including the establishment and testing of the
experimental system were completed in February 2006, allowing the implementation
continuous nursing trials. Species used for trials included barramundi (Lates
calcarifer), snapper (Lutjanus argentimacus) and red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.). Fish
grew fast at high density (up to 3,000 fingerlings per m
3
). Survival was much higher
in floating raceways compared with nursing in earthen ponds. Water quality, plankton

3
growth, disease occurrence and electricity consumption have been monitored
frequently. Electricity consumption was lower than estimated earlier. Profit margin
was good (higher than 50%) ensuring the application of this developing technology
for commercial production. The research team received financial offers by the
Department of Fisheries of Phu Yen Province and Binh Dinh Province to expand
research efforts to the production of eels in freshwater reservoirs. The research team
are collaborating with other technical staff of the university to revise the design and
scale of the raceways for these possible trials. An extended abstract highlighting the

the concept of bioremediation. FRs, either made of plastic or cheap materials, have
been trialled successfully in Japan, Australia and US. Through this project, different
local materials have been used to design and built raceways, at both commercial and
experimental scales for trials. Target species include high-value indigenous fish such
as barramundi, whiting, snapper, cobia, Murray cods, etc. The project also emphasizes
on improving capacity of the Vietnamese institutions through study tour, training
courses and research internship. Information from the project once available is
immediately disseminated to local farmers and the industry through extension
workshop. The system is designed in a form that allows it to be used by farmers with

4
no major change of their existing ponds. This project is expected to help boosting
production of marine fish fingerlings and better use the existing shrimp ponds, many
of which are abandoned in coastal areas. These fit nicely into the CARD’s framework
and aims, i.e. promoting productive technology addressing social, environmental and
human resource development issues.

5. Progress to Date
5.1 Implementation Highlights
In Australia:

• Successful nursery trial with barramundi larvae conducted with MSc student
(Mr. Ngo Van Manh) from UoF.
• Two current production trials exceeding 100 kg/m
3
giving indication that
this level of biomass is capable of being sustained in the longer term.
• Good market assessment of trial shipments of mulloway and sand whiting to
A.Raptis & Sons and local seafood supplier.
• Agreement with commercial hatchery to supply fertilised eggs or fry free of

5
• One experiment on growth performance of barramundi fed different
commercial pellets is being implemented to provide further understanding of
the target species in relation with the use of raceways for nursing.
• The project has trained three undergraduate students with their final year
research and one MSc student with his thesis research.
• Consultancy was provided to Phu Yen Province for planning to apply
floating raceways in eel production. Activities will be carried out in early
2007 if funding is approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology of
Vietnam in late 2006.
• The design of the nursing system is being revised for a larger scale and
higher level of sophistication including locally-made automatic feeder and
waste traps.
5.2 Smallholder Benefits
In Australia:

• Consultation with Australian industry partners has resulted in supply of eggs
for research trials from collaborative farms and other government agencies.
Plans are being discussed with these farms to also fabricate raceways for use
in their nursery facilities.
• The nursery application and grow out of marine finfish at high densities in
raceways has been demonstrated to several industry, university and training
organisations on a steady but ad hoc basis.
• An industry awareness program to promote and discuss options for finfish
production in coastal prawn ponds has been proposed for late 2006 and
discussion are underway with a large prawn farmer to look at diversification
options and utilisation of raceways as production units in existing prawn
ponds.
• Local seafood markets have been engaged to determine both quality of
product and consumer demand for raceway produced seafood.

• The University of Queensland provides 3
rd
year science students for
‘Industry Placement’ and to date 4 have been trained in raceway
maintenance and water quality.
• Departmental staff has recently attended a Fish Health Workshop for
simple, fast diagnosis and treatment of possible disease outbreaks in
raceways.
• Negotiations with Northern Fisheries Centre, Cairns to trial estuary cod
(Epinephelus coioides) in floating raceways. This may lead to potential
diversification options for Australian prawn farmers.

In Vietnam

• Staff of Nha Trang University and Khanh Hoa Fisheries Promotion Centre
are involved in project activities, thus improving skills and knowledge of
marine fish nursing and pond management.
• Plans are being made for the second MSc student (staff of Nha Trang
University) to participate in research in Australia and/or attend courses at
Australian universities.
• Training workshop on water quality management and analysis, sampling of
plankton and sick fish were conducted for 6 project staff, 2 technicians of
KFEC, 17 young staff of the university and other students.
• The project has trained three undergraduate students with their final year
research (namely Nguyen Van Ngoc, Tran Manh Quyen, Ho Thi Ngoc
Huong) and one MSc student with his thesis research (Mr. Luu The
Phuong).
5.4 Publicity
In Australia:



5.5 Project Management
• The Project Leader is now Mr. Michael Burke at Bribie Island Aquaculture
Research Centre, QDPI&F, Australia. Mr. Burke has taken over this role
since January 2006 and effectively cooperates with the research team in
Vietnam.
• Technical staff changes after resignation of Ben Russell. Has been replaced
by Scott Shanks who was the manager of a commercial redclaw farm and
has previous research experience at the DPI&F’s Walkamin Freshwater
Research Centre and at Bauple (Inland Prawn Farm).
• The first six-month report was submitted to CARD and approval was
granted consequently.
• The Vietnamese Component had host a visit by CARD Office in Hanoi in
mid 2006. The delegation had discussed with the research team, examined
the experimental systems, and granted positive comments about project
activities.
• Routines for information exchange have been practised between the
Australian and Vietnamese project leaders.
• The second request for funding transfer has been placed and was handled
effectively by QDPI&F. 8
6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
6.1 Environment
For research activities in Vietnam environmental concern is not an issue as the system
is designed with minimum water exchange with the surrounding environment. In fact,
the pond water has been used for seven months already with no exchange. Apart from
the only incident encountered in early July (due to wrong practice of one project
technician), water quality in the reservoir pond has been adequately good for the fish

• In Australia, the lack of large scale aquaculture operations or investors has
lead to a proliferation of smaller non-profitable operations that deter potential
investors. High capital set up costs and ongoing operational (labour) costs
requires a large economy of scale. In pond raceways may be a readily
available and applicable solution with low setup and running costs and greater
adaptability.

9
• In Vietnam the availability of fish for trials at the right time and in the right
quantity/quality are still of concern. The research team are doing all possible
means to ensure there are enough fish for trials by diversifying the target
species, looking at possibility to self-produce fish for trials and collaborating
with other operating businesses in marine fish farming. Cost for fish
fingerlings and feed are high, suggesting that, within the approved budget,
mobilization of over budgeted items is necessary to ensure the success of
planned nursing trials.
7.2 Options
• Flexibility in species of choice given ample justification provided.
• Good demonstration of profitability and realistic production estimates and
internal rates of return (IRR).
7.3 Sustainability
• Appeared not to be an issue as more interested parties involved in the project.
Already in Vietnam the number of provinces that are interested in this new
technology keeps increasing.
• Interest will continue to increase as information is disseminated through the
aquaculture and farming industry. Quality, robust data and good
demonstration will ensure industry uptake.
8. Next Critical Steps
In Vietnam (for the period from August 06 to Feb 07)


demonstrating cost effectiveness of floating raceways including production
costs, market value and species suitability.
9. Conclusion
Project is progressing according to plans in both Australia and Vietnam. 11