Expectations for Siberian Sturgeon Farming Project

The availability of clean water from limestone ravines and protective watershed forests provides an ideal environment for developing cold-water aquaculture in Thai Nguyen. Taking advantage of this, the project "Application of Siberian sturgeon farming technology for commercial egg production in Thai Nguyen province" has been initiated and has yielded promising initial outcomes.

The project is being carried out by Thai Nguyen Technology Development and Investment Co., Ltd.

Commenced in November 2020 and scheduled to conclude at the end of 2023, the above project is being carried out by Thai Nguyen Technology Development and Investment Co., Ltd.

Under this project, a fish farming facility spanning an area of 2,000m2 has been established, with the total capacity of the tanks exceeding 700m3. This facility is situated adjacent to the Phuong Hoang Cave tourist area in Phu Thuong commune (Vo Nhai), where a consistent supply of clean water is available throughout the year. Environmental assessments have confirmed that the water quality in this location is suitable for nurturing Siberian sturgeon for commercial egg production.

Mr. Nguyen Tat Dac, the project manager, highlighted the significance of sturgeon as a precious aquatic resource, particularly the sought-after Caviar Sturgeon eggs, which hold a prominent position in the global market. Sturgeon farming in Vietnam dates back to 2005, with efforts to harness the potential of cold-water aquatic resources in the northern mountainous regions, the North Central Coast, and the Central Highlands. The recent growth of sturgeon farming across several provinces has propelled Vietnam into the top 10 sturgeon-producing countries globally, joining the likes of China, Russia, Italy, Bulgaria, Iran, the USA, France, Poland, and Germany.

Within the scope of the Thai Nguyen project, sturgeon are cultivated by experts using freshwater from rivers, streams, lakes, or the domestic water supply. This water is treated with filter cotton to eliminate impurities and contaminants, ensuring a clean and unpolluted environment.

The project has identified fish specimens capable of yielding eggs per breeding fish (at a rate of 123/180 fish), each weighing between 17 and 20 kilograms. As of now, there are 20 fish designated for egg production. The preliminary processing has resulted in 15kg of caviar and over 10kg of processed fish eggs. The project has achieved a 95% success rate in egg production.

Siberian caviar will undergo processing, canning, and preservation procedures in compliance with food safety standards. Presently, sturgeon eggs command a market price of 5 million VND per 100 grams.

Upon project completion, Thai Nguyen Technology Development and Investment Co., Ltd. plans to enhance egg production techniques to improve both productivity and quality. The company aims to strengthen connections along the value chain, linking aquaculture with eco-tourism to facilitate the introduction and consumption of these products.

Furthermore, the company will expand the scale of sturgeon farming for egg production, offering technical guidance and supplying seeds, feed, and purchasing fish from accredited households to cater to both domestic and international markets.

According to Mr. Pham Quoc Chinh, Director of the Thai Nguyen Department of Science and Technology, the technology for raising, exploiting, processing, and preserving commercial Siberian caviar in Thai Nguyen province will usher in a new and advanced direction for fish farming, benefiting not only the fisheries sector but also the entire province. Successful application of this technological process will contribute to the availability of premium-quality food, generating high-quality technical products that align with the region's conditions and strengths while also being intertwined with the province's tourism development efforts.