In November and December 2012,research teams of ICA project carried out a survey in Nghe An, Quang Ninh and Hai Phong provinces for the purpose of collect infomation on the use of drugs, chemicals and probiotics in aquaculture. This is a part of work package 3: “Climate change and aquaculture biosecurity" of the ICA project.
In Nghe An, 30 households culturing white leg shrimp in intensive systems and 10 veterinary drug stores were interviewed. The intensive culture of white leg shrimp concentrates in 4 districts including Quynh Luu, Dien Chau. Nghi Loc and Hung Hoa commune (Vinh City). Meanwhile, most of drug stores aredistributed mainly in Quynh Luu district.Some of drug stores in Quynh Luu supply drugs for the famers not only in Nghe An but also in some districts of Thanh Hoa Province.

In Hai Phong, the information on the use of drugs, chemicals and probiotics was collected in 25 marine fish cage culture farm with intensive model, 15 marine fish pond culture with extensive model and 5 drugs stores. Marine fish cages culture are distributed mainly in Cat Ba Island, Cat Hai district of Hai Phong. Famers in Cat Ba use drug sold in drug store under supervision of the seller for prevention and treatment disease for fish, some others buy drugs and chemical in Thuy Nguyen district. Lap Le commune, Thuy Nguyen district is the place with the highest number of pond to culture marine fish with extensive model. In Hai Phong, only some big drug stores supply drugs and medicals most marine culture areas.

In Quang Ninh, 30 white leg shrimp famers with intensive and extensive culture model were interviewed. Simultaneously, 10 drug sellers were contacted for information. There are 3 big drugs store in Mong Cai city, most of them are owned by the Chinese. The Chinese owners said that they supply drugs and chemical for famers not only in Mong Cai but also in some provinces in northern and Southern of Vietnam.

Information on the use of drugs, chemicals, and probiotics in aquaculture collected in these surveys will be indicated in the report planned to be published in January, 2013.