Success Stories In Asian Aquaculture - Library - Network of ...

138 N.T. Phuong and D.T.H. Oanh10,000Production (millions)8,0006,0004,0002,000LarvaeFingerling-1998 2000 2003 2006YearFig. 7.6 Increase of seed production of striped catfish from 1998 to 2006established in 1996 and fully achieved and transferred to hatchery operators since2000 (Cacot 1999 ; Cacot et al. 2002) . Since then, the seed production of stripedcatfish has been increased rapidly (Fig. 7.6 ).In the early stages, striped catfish seed production was only conducted in fourstate-run hatcheries, and the production did not meet the demand for stocking. Since2002, a number of private hatcheries have been established with technical supportfrom CTU and Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 2 contributed significantly tothe expansion of striped catfish farms. Striped catfish hatcheries are now capable ofmeeting the seedstock demand for commercial grow-out in the region (Fig. 7.6 ).However, due to the increasing demand for high quality striped catfish fingerlings forgrow-out, a number of large-scale grow-out farms have built hatcheries to produceseedstock for their own use. This trend has continued to this day.7.7 Success of Pond Culture Development7.7.1 Overview of Culture SystemsThree main culture practices of striped catfish occur in the Mekong Delta; pond,cage, and pen. The development of these types has changed with time according toits economic efficiency. Pangasiid catfish culture in cages was introduced anddeveloped very early in the Delta. At the beginning of the 1960s, a number ofVietnamese who had lived in Cambodia and returned to Vietnam commenced catfishcage culture practice in the border area of Vietnam and Cambodia (InterimCommittee for Coordinating of Investigations of the Lower Mekong 1992 ; Phuong1998) . Mekong river catfish was the main culture species in cages in that period.