Awakening potential
Ca Mau has 3 sides bordering the sea, a coastline of more than 310 km and a exclusive economic zone of more than 120,000 km2, Ca Mau is one of the 4 key fishing grounds of the country. Currently, the locality has more than 5,200 fishing vessels, with a total capacity of over 800,000 CV, about 40,000 - 50,000 workers in the seafood sector. Along with that, the seafood processing industry for export is developing strongly with more than 80 factories, designed capacity of nearly 500,000 tons/year, affirming Ca Mau's position as the largest seafood processing center in Vietnam.
In parallel with exploitation, the province focuses on investing in fisheries infrastructure and logistics services, forming a linkage chain of exploitation - processing - export. Currently, the whole province has 6 fishing ports; of which, 3 ports (Song Doc, Rach Goc, Ganh Hao) are designated to confirm the origin of exploited seafood - a key factor in the process of removing the IUU "yellow card" of the European Commission.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau province Pham Van Muoi said that the province determines that marine economic development must be closely linked to environmental protection and aquatic resources. "We strengthen the application of science and technology, monitor 100% of fishing vessels through the navigation system, and at the same time propagate to fishermen to understand that sustainable development is a long-term livelihood," Mr. Muoi emphasized.
Not only focusing on exploitation, Ca Mau also promotes the conservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity. The province is implementing a plan to expand the marine protected area to 53,600 hectares, build artificial coral reefs, restore marine lawns and develop community ecotourism. "The strictly protected areas will become shelters for aquatic species, contributing to restoring resources and creating a foundation for the development of marine and island tourism," Mr. Pham Van Muoi added.
Besides seafood, renewable energy is becoming a new driving force for Ca Mau's growth. With an average wind speed of 6.5 - 7 m/s and more than 2,500 sun hours/year, Ca Mau has favorable conditions to develop wind power, solar power and biomass power. A series of coastal clean energy projects such as Tan Thuan, Hoa Binh 1, Khai Long... are being implemented, contributing to the formation of a coastal renewable energy corridor.
Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ca Mau province Nguyen Chi Thien informed that, based on natural advantages and geographical location, the province has submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for appraisal the Electricity Export Project, with a roadmap to export 2,000 MW by 2031, 3,000 MW by 2035, and 5,000 MW by 2040. "This is a strategic step to make Ca Mau a clean energy center of the region," Mr. Thien emphasized.
Vice Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee Lam Van Bi said that the province is forming a coastal economic corridor, linking exploitation - processing - export - logistics to create a closed value chain. "With its existing potential, Ca Mau has become not only a clean energy transmission center of the region but also of the whole country. The province has planned industrial parks and economic zones associated with renewable energy sources, aiming to develop hydrogen and green ammonia for export," Mr. Lam Van Bi informed.
New thinking for a new vision
Ca Mau aims to achieve an average GRDP growth rate of 10% or more in the next 5 years. In particular, marine economic sectors are expected to contribute from 40% to 45% of the total provincial budget revenue, contributing to increasing the average GRDP per capita to over 6,000 USD by 2030.
In the structure of marine and coastal economic development, the seafood sector continues to be prioritized, with the target of total output reaching 7.46 million tons; export turnover reaching about 17 billion USD in 5 years.
At the beginning of 2026, Ca Mau province officially adjusted the planning. Ca Mau sets requirements to expand the socio-economic development space, effectively exploit land and water surface funds along the coast on a scientific, feasible and sustainable basis. This is considered a basis for researching and proposing sea encroachment projects in the future, serving urban, industrial and coastal service development.
Vision to 2050, Ca Mau's marine economy is not only a growth pillar but also a strategic development space, contributing to improving the province's competitiveness in the Mekong Delta region.
The plan aims to develop the marine economy associated with mangrove forest conservation, biodiversity, improve livelihoods for coastal people, and enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise.
Clearly defining the role of the marine economy in the adjustment of the Ca Mau Provincial Plan for the period 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, is expected to create an important foundation for long-term growth, while opening up new development potential for coastal areas, contributing to bringing Ca Mau to sustainable development in the context of increasing climate change.
Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee Lu Quang Ngoi emphasized that the two-digit GRDP growth target is a mandatory requirement in this planning adjustment. Planning development space, pillars and key projects, especially marine economy, seaports, logistics, energy and strategic transport infrastructure.
By 2050, the marine economy will become a driving force to promote socio-economic development of Ca Mau province; becoming one of the strongly developed provinces, fully meeting the criteria for sustainable development and green growth.
