CURRENT SITUATION OF CULTURE AND PRODUCTION OF PORTUGUESE OYSTERS (CRASSOSTREA ANGULATA) IN VIETNAM

Abstract

Portuguese oyster (Crassostrea angulata) is a commercial cultured mollusc which has high economic value due to high growth rate and survival rate. The rapid development of Portuguese oyster aquaculture industry results in some challenges such as shortages of high-quality spat. Spat were imported or reproduced from well-uncontrolled broodstock; leading to disease risk and genetic diversity loss. In addition, spat spawning cycle of Portuguese oysters also has some limitations. Therefore, to close seed production process is one essential step to design culturing areas for sustainable development of oyster industry in Vietnam. This study collected data from Northern, Central and Southern provinces of Vietnam supplied by Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of coastal provinces and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam. This article also presents limitations, challenges, and solutions to improve and develop the close seed production cycle of Portuguese oysters in Vietnam.