Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology

Project's information

Project's title	The biological characteristics and stock status of elongate snake eel species (family Ophichthidae) in the coastal waters and estuaries from Vung Tau to Ben Tre and proposing solutions for sustainable development of resources
Project’s code	VAST06.05/23-24
Research hosting institution	Institute of Oceanography
Project leader’s name	Vo Van Quang
Project duration	01/01/2023 - 31/12/2024
Project’s budget	600 million VND
Classify	Grade A
Goal and objectives of the project	- The data on the basic biological characteristics of one species (family Ophichthidae) in coastal and estuarine areas from Vung Tau to Ben Tre - Assess the current exploitation status and natural resources of the elongate snake eel group to serve the exploitation, farming and sustainable management of resources.
Main results	- Theoretical results: The results of the project contribute to the understanding of the diversity of marine eel species; describing 4 new species to science and describing 5 new recorded species for the marine fish fauna from specimens collected in Vietnam's waters. The results evaluate the biological characteristics of the mekong snake Eel (Ophichthus cuulongensis), a dominant species in the elongate snake eel group. - Applied results: Application of biological characteristics of the mekong snake Eel (Ophichthus cuulongensis) in exploitation management and aquaculture research and development.
Novelty and actuality and scientific meaningfulness of the results	The results of the project evaluated the biological characteristics of a dominant species and the resources of the elongate snake eel group in the costal zone of Vung Tau to Ben Tre. The results of the project described 4 new species of fish for science and 5 new records for the marine fish fauna from specimens collected in the waters of Vietnam, in which have 2 new species for science of the elongate snake eel group in the sea area of Vung Tau to Ben Tre.
Products of the project	- Scientific papers in referred journals (list): + Vo, V. Q., H.-C. Ho, H. V. Dao & T. C. Tran, 2024. New species of the eel genera Dysomma and Dysommina from Vietnam, South China Sea (Anguilliformes: Synaphobranchidae). Journal of Fish Biology, 104 (4): 1067-1078 (SCI-E, Q2) + Ho, H.-C. & V. Q.Vo, 2024. New record of the cutthroat eel, Meadia roseni (Actinopterygii: Anguilliformes: Synaphobranchidae), from Vietnam. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria, 54: 209-212 (SCI-E, Q3). + Vo, V. Q., Y. Hibino, H.-C. Ho, T.T.T. Le, Y. G. Seah, 2024. Two new species of the snake eels genus Ophichthus (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from Viet Nam, with redescriptions of O. macrochir (Bleeker, 1852) and O. rutidoderma (Bleeker, 1852). Zookeys 1231: 311–329 (SCI-E, Q1). + Quang Van Vo, Huans-Ching Ho, Yusuke Hibino, Thao Thu Thi Le, Hoa Hong Thi Tran, Thinh Cong Tran, 2024. Records of species of the snake eels genus Ophichthus (family Ophichthidae) from Vietnam. Vietnam Journal of Marine Science and Technology, 24(1): 55-68 - Technological products (describe in details: technical characteristics, place): + Report: Morphological characteristics of identification and diversity of species of the elongate snake eel group. Place: Institute of Oceanography + Report: Assessment of the current exploitation status and natural resources of the elongate snake eel group. Place: Institute of Oceanography. + Report: Assessment of biological characteristics and potential for aquaculture development of the elongate snake eel group. Place: Institute of Oceanography. + Report: Solutions for sustainable exploitation and management of the elongate snake eel group resources. Place: Institute of Oceanography.
Recommendations	The marine eel in Vietnam's waters is diverse, many species have high economic value. So that, extensive and in-depth research is needed to develop aquaculture and conserve resources.
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