spiny lobster aquaculture in the Asia – Pacific region

With a coastline of 3,260 km, a coastal area with more than 4,000 islands, and many lagoons giving protection against the waves and wind, Vietnam has great potential for seacage aquaculture. In Vietnam, seacage culture of lobsters started in the province of Khanh Hoa in 1992 and has expanded significantly around south-central Vietnam since 2000. Panulirus ornatus (ornate spiny lobster) is the most important cultured species among others ( P. homarus , P. stimpsoni and P. longipes ). In 2006, there were more than 49,000 cages producing approximately 1,900 t of product, valued at about US$90 million. However, due to the ‘milky disease’ that appeared in late 2006, lobster production has since declined and the estimate for 2007 was about 1,400 t. This paper reviews the current status of seacage culture of lobsters in Vietnam and identifies major technical and socioeconomic constraints to further development.