Brian Jeffrey
In a groundbreaking achievement, Vietnam’s Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1 has successfully cultivated yellowtail kingfish (Seriola dumerili), a highly esteemed marine species. This development heralds significant opportunities for the nation’s offshore aquaculture industry on a commercial scale.
As reported by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), this institute has achieved the first-ever successful breeding of yellowtail kingfish, a species particularly prized in Japan, where it can fetch about 1 million VND per kilogram (roughly 40 USD/kg).
Countries like Chile and Mexico extensively farm yellowtail kingfish, which constitutes over 50% of Japan’s marine aquaculture output.
Yellowtail kingfish is indigenous to Vietnam, with initial farming experiments commencing in 1991 at Bai Nam, located on the Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang, using wild-sourced broodstock. However, this approach became unsustainable over time.
Recognized as a valuable offshore aquaculture species, yellowtail kingfish exhibits rapid growth, achieving weights of up to 3kg in just 18 months. Early studies indicate that the species can switch to formulated feeds by day 18 of the nursery stage, marking a pivotal technical hurdle in aquaculture. This achievement positions Vietnam as the first nation to successfully breed yellowtail kingfish in captivity.
Earlier attempts by Japan and China aimed at decreasing reliance on wild broodstock through artificial breeding initiatives faced challenges due to colder climates, which adversely impacted fertilization, embryo development, larval survival, and the availability of suitable feed for larvae, resulting in low juvenile survival rates.
Yellowtail kingfish, or striped amberjack, flourishes in warmer oceanic environments and is particularly well-suited for offshore cage farming. Its potential for offshore aquaculture is promising, offering relief for coastal fish farming practices moving forward.
