Vietnam has made history by becoming the first country in the world to complete the full breeding cycle of the valuable amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata) fish, entirely in captivity. This means the country has succeeded in breeding the fish from egg to juvenile, without depending on wild-caught fish. The achievement marks a great leap forward for Vietnamese aquaculture and puts the country on the map as a pioneer in sustainable fish production.
The breakthrough was announced by associate professor Dr. Dang Thi Lua, head of the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1. She explained that Vietnamese researchers succeeded for the first time in switching amberjack larvae to artificial feed after 18 days, a crucial and often problematic stage in the breeding process. The current larvae are now 23 days old and developing well.
What makes this so special?
Amberjack is an extremely popular fish in countries such as Japan, where it is used for premium dishes such as sushi and sashimi. In fact, in Japan, the species makes up more than 50% of marine farming production. Annually, the country produces about 150,000 tons of amberjack.
Yet Japan, like other countries such as Chile and Mexico, has so far had no success with fully captive breeding of amberjack. In these countries, young amberjack are still caught in the wild and then further reared in tanks. This so-called "capture-based aquaculture" puts pressure on wild fish populations and makes production dependent on natural capture.
Vietnam has now proved to be the first in the world that it is possible to breed this species of fish entirely in captivity, without any intervention from nature. This allows production to become not only more sustainable, but also more stable and cheaper.
An economic opportunity for Vietnam
With a market value of about $40 per kilogram, the amberjack represents a huge export opportunity for Vietnam. The achievement opens the door to a large-scale, domestic farming industry, with the potential to serve new markets such as South Korea, the United States and Europe, where demand for high-quality marine fish is growing.
Dr. Lua stressed the importance of further investment in technology to make the cultivation of amberjack commercially viable. In addition, the institute has also achieved success with the fourfinger threadfin another valuable species but again, steps are still needed to achieve large-scale production.
Strategic importance
According to Tran Dinh Luan, head of the Directorate of Fisheries, this scientific breakthrough is part of a broader strategy to breed species that grow faster, are more resistant to disease and better able to cope with the effects of climate change. Vietnam is actively working on a more sustainable, innovation-driven aquaculture policy, with an eye on export growth.
The successful, fully closed farming of amberjack is not only a technological achievement but also a game-changer for sustainable fisheries. It affirms Vietnam as a leader in global aquaculture and provides a strategic advantage in a market that places increasing importance on food security and environmentally friendly production.
