Understanding the production effectiveness of net enclosure in Phu Tan commune

The net enclosure is a special type of aquatic culture established in Tam Giang lagoon, Thua Thien Hue Province in the last years of the decade 90. It is made up by enclosing a large natural area with 2-3 layers of net. The outside layer is very simple and serves as the border to protect penetration from the outside; the middle one is rather solid and used for retaining the natural aquatic species within; and the third layer is the most solid, and surrounds an area of variable size for the culture of tiger prawn, crab and other economically valuable species. The size of the culture area depends on the fisher’s investment capacity and desire to practice improved extensive culture suitable to the natural condition. Each net enclosure is a system and a base for an “aquaculture group” to carry out production activities. The “aquaculture group” is a group of fishing households who have the rights and responsibility over the net enclosure area in the eyes of the government and the community. In conforming with people’s wishes and supported by local government, the net enclosure system developed in an uncontrolled way and rapidly spread over the lagoon. It has become the dominant aquatic culture method in Thua Thien Hue lagoon.