Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

CARD Project Progress Report

004/04VIE: Better Breeds of Common carp
(Cyprinus carpio L.) for Small-scale Fish Farmers
MS6: SECOND SIX-MONTHLY REPORT
January 12, 2006


Fax:
08 8946 6151
Organisation
Charles Darwin University
Email: In Australia: Administrative contact
Name:
Dr Jenny Carter
Telephone:
08 8946 6708
Position:
Manager Research
Fax:
08 8946 7199
Organisation
Charles Darwin University
Email:
2. Project Abstract
Increased inland fish production is a high priority for the Government of Vietnam
particularly in the context of rural development in relation to food security, poverty
alleviation and income generation. This project aims to assist the continued development of
genetically improved common carp breeds, the effective dissemination of these breeds from
central research institutes to provincial hatcheries for distributions to small scale farmers and
further development of research capacity in genetics in relation to selective breeding and
brood-stock management. Excellent progress has been made with in the first six months of

costs, and thereby contributing significantly to poverty alleviation and income generation for
communities heavily dependent on fish aquaculture for livelihoods and food security.
Common carp was chosen as the target species as it is the most important cultured fish
species in Vietnam (approximately 20,000 metric tons produced per year) with a very large
number of people, including those in low income regions (e.g. highlands) and ethnic
minorities, dependent upon it for food security and income. Further, the Vietnamese
Government has in the past, and continues to invest significant resources into the production
and dissemination of genetically improved breeds of this species, and there is significant
local expertise in the area of genetics and breeding (e.g. staff of the Research Institute for
Aquaculture No. 1).
The specific objectives of this project are to: (1) document current fish breeding and brood-
stock management practices in relation to the selection and maintenance of genetically
improved common carp breeds at the institutional, hatchery (provincial and private) and
small-scale farm levels; to assess knowledge levels relating to fish breeds and selection of
seed stock by small scale farmers; (2) determine genotypic and phenotypic diversity among
common carp genetic resources (breeds), both wild and domesticated, available for
aquaculture within Vietnam and examine the success of dissemination of genetically
improved breeds to small scale farmers; (3) increase success and efficiency of common carp
breeding, broodstock management and seed stock production by small scale farmers and
hatchery personnel; (4) increase capacity of young researchers and technicians to contribute
to research and development in the fields of genetics of broodstock management, molecular
genetics and fish genetic improvement; and (5) To demonstrate to farmers, on farm, the
advantages of using genetically improved breeds of carp. 2
The approach adopted for this project involves a novel combination of traditional and
modern methods. Thus the understanding of common carp genetic resources in Vietnam and
the success of the dissemination of genetically improved breeds to small-scale farmers will
be based on the use of modern (molecular genetic) and traditional phenotypic

Management of the project as been effective. 3
6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
6.1 Environment
No issues.
6.2 Gender and Social Issues
The two young scientists trained at Deakin represented each gender.
7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues
7.1 Issues and Constraints
The implementation of the project has been complicated by the movement of staff and
unanticipated demands from other projects for the Australian partner. These problems have
been overcome by accessing the services of other personnel or in some cases increasing the
time commitments of nominated staff.

The Australian Leader, Austin has now taken up his new position as Professor and Head of
School of Science and Primary Industries at Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia.
Letters of Agreement to transfer the project from Deakin to Charles Darwin University are in
process.
7.2 Options
Charles Darwin University has advertised for a Research Fellow in Genetics and an
appointment is expected to be made in the next month. This person will be able to support Dr
Austin’s research program in aquaculture and fish and invertebrate genetics including this
project.
7.3 Sustainability
No major issues other than those indicated above.
8. Next Critical Steps
The next steps are: