Khanh Hoa Province boasts high marine biodiversity. However, many challenges and risks are facing marine biodiversity conservation...
Khanh Hoa Province boasts high marine biodiversity. However, many challenges and risks are facing marine biodiversity conservation.
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| The sea waters in Khanh Hoa Province has high marine biodiversity. |
Recent study by Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography has revealed the high marine biodiversity in Khanh Hoa. There are 34 kinds of sea grass found in mangrove forests, 104ha. The sea grass carpet contains 12 kinds of sea grass, covering 1,800 ha. There are 134 kinds of fish, 40 crustaceans, 23 mollusks, 10 echinoderms, etc in sea grass beds.
The coral reef, the habitat of many marine species in the open ocean, is also reported for its high marine biodiversity. According to PhD Vo Sy Tuan, Direction of Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, there is a wide variety of fish living in the coral reef such as Pomacentridae, Labridae, Chaetodontidae, Serranidae, Lutjanus campechanus, Plectorhinchus picus, snapper, Black scrawled cowfish, etc.
The density ranges between 400 and 900 individuals, 653 individuals/ 500m2, mostly inhabited by small-sized fish.
Nha Trang Bay has 11 rare marine animals, mostly Sousa chinensis and Steno bredanensis and 2 kinds if sea turtles namely Lepidochelys olivacea and Eretmochelys imbricata. The diversity of the seabed creatures is also found. Crustaceans include Isopods and Amphipods, 30-50%; Perinereis nuntia: 40-80%; large Holothurian: 30-80%, etc. Besides, there are star fishes, Echinoidea, Actiniaria and so on.
Marine biodiversity has brought big economically profit. According to PhD Vo Sy Tuan, marine tourism brings an annual profit of at least USD600,000 a year thanks to many kinds of amusement activities such as swimming, diving, fishing, etc. In addition, the aquaculture industry has developed with sugpo prawn, lobster, Pomacentridae, Labridae, Chaetodontidae, Sea horse, mytilus smaragdinus, etc. Besides, marine creatures can be used as materials for pollution treatment, pharmaceutical products, etc.
However, the biodiversity of Khanh Hoa has faced many risks due to the overexploitation of marine resources, destructive fishing practices, pollution from transportation, the mangrove forest reduction caused by marine aquaculture, etc.
To protect the marine biodiversity, according to PhD Nguyen Van Long, Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, it is essential to build a scientific base for effective management of biodiversity resources; establish and build suitable management schemes; establish and diversify management methods; restore the ecological system to create a new tourist destination; raise awareness of responsibilities in preservation and sustainable development of natural resources; supervise and evaluate natural resource effectiveness, etc.
P.L
Translated by N.T
