The integrated coastal zone management model at Ran Trao marine ecosystem protected zone has proved successful under the Partnerships in the Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) program...
The integrated coastal zone management model at Ran Trao marine ecosystem protected zone has proved successful under the Partnerships in the Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) program. Thanks to the non-profit, non-governmental organizations, the model has raised public awareness of biodiversity in the area.
Ran Trao has 28ha of coastal coral reef, in Van Phong Bay, with rich fauna and flora, including 145 species of phytoplankton and zooplankton, 5 species of mangrove, 6 species of sea grass, especially 82 coral reef, 69 fish and 25 invertebrates.
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| Clean-up on the beach. |
Since 2001, Centre for Marinelife Conservation & Community Development (MCD), formerly known as International Marinelife Alliance (IMA), has provided support to the trial project of Ran Trao Protected Area. After the project finished in 2004, MCD continued to connect with other projects to reach the target of coral reef and marine resource preservation in the area.
Ran Trao covers nearly 90ha, including strictly protected 54ha of core zone. The 2nd cycle has begun after 6 steps of the project cycle suggested by PEMSEA ended. The first stage (Preparation) included recruitment of staff among local residents with IMA playing a coordinating role; marine biodiversity and socio-economic survey and training; communications plans to increase public awareness of environment and marine resources, etc. The 2nd stage (Start-up) included supervision, collection, initial analysis of marine clean-up activities, plantation of mangrove forests, etc.
The 3rd stage (Construction) included completion of Ran Trao Marine Protected Area Project proposal, establishment of core groups, communication groups, management plan building groups for the period 2009 – 2010, etc. The 4th stage (Approval) included legal suggestions on the marine protected area, implementation plan and mechanism approved by the people's committees of Khanh Hoa Province and Van Ninh District.
In the 5th stage (Implementation), Ran Trao Marine Protected Area together with its marine ecosystem protection management board made its debut. The stage also included resource monitoring, coral reef regeneration, environmental training courses, environmental education center establishment, experience exchange with other communities, etc.
The 6th stage (Screening) included cognitive, biological and socio-economic assessment; Ran Trao Marine Protected Area handover to the local community; adjustment and supplement of its management board, core groups, regulations and so on.
After 10 years of the Ran Trao project, satisfactory achievements have been gained, assuring resource and biodiversity conservation in the area. Abalone has developed well and many other marine species have come to the area to seek refuge and reproduce.
In addition, local residents have become aware of environmental protection and thus ended destructive fishing practices, says Nguyen Van Loc, Deputy Chairman of Van Hung Commune People’s Committee.
However, there are some problems and shortcomings related to funds for the core groups, infrastructures, livehood models, etc. Much effort from MCD investors and the local authorities is being made to solve the problems in an attempt to continue the new project cycle more sustainably.
N.T
