Vietnam partners with Australia to pioneer water quality monitoring
Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has launched a project in Vietnam to demonstrate AquaWatch Australia, a new water quality monitoring and forecasting system.
The demonstration site at An Lao, in Hai Phong, aims to empower local shrimp farmers with near real-time data and forecasts to protect shrimp stocks by improving water management practices. The site is the first of its kind in Vietnam to calibrate the AquaWatch system for inland aquaculture and will provide valuable insights for broader application.
AquaWatch Australia Lead, Dr Alex Held, said AquaWatch works by combining satellite imagery and water-based sensors to deliver near real-time updates and forecasts. “This helps farmers anticipate challenges such as algal blooms and nutrient imbalances,” Dr Held said. “The system picks up on slight changes in water colour, which can signal water quality problems like algal blooms, excess sediment and run off contamination. Vietnam’s aquaculture contributes significantly to the national economy, yet water quality issues can cause catastrophic losses for farmers. AquaWatch aims to bring reliable, timely data to help them make informed decisions to mitigate these risks.”
CSIRO AquaWatch scientist, Dr Duy Nguyen, said this is pioneering work in Vietnam supporting access to an integrated water monitoring system combining satellite data, water sensor measurements and AI-based forecasting. “The demonstration site in Hai Phong is crucial for calibrating the technology to local conditions and it lays the groundwork for expanding AquaWatch to other waterways in Vietnam,” Dr Nguyen said. “With regular updates and water quality forecasts, shrimp farmers can better manage feeding schedules, adjust water exchanges, maintain water quality parameters within ideal ranges, and respond to extreme events like algal blooms. This can lead to healthier harvests and reduced environmental impacts.”
The pilot site in Hai Phong is a collaboration between CSIRO, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology and the Vietnam National Center for Water Resources Planning and Investigation (NAWAPI). This partnership brings advanced technology to Vietnam and strengthens its capacity for sustainable aquaculture. The AquaWatch Vietnam site joins other global demonstration sites for AquaWatch in Australia, Chile, Malaysia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
