The research on marine biodiversity evaluation in Nha Trang Bay reserve conducted by Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography has just been examined, contributing to the re-evaluation of the existing biodiversity and the trend for better conservation and management...
The research on marine biodiversity evaluation in Nha Trang Bay reserve conducted by Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography has just been examined, contributing to the re-evaluation of the existing biodiversity and the trend for better conservation and management.
 |
| Coral reef creatures at Hon Mun Reserve, Nha Trang City. |
Over the past years, several studies related to marine biodiversity on Khanh Hoa Coast in general and Nha Trang Bay in particular, have been done, providing valuable important documentation about the biodiversity distribution, change and resources, together with many suggestions for conservation. In spite of much effort by Nha Trang Bay Reserve Management Board, in recent years, the rapid socio-economic development has had impacts on biodiversity. Therefore, it is essential to re-evaluate the existing biodiversity and the resource management effectiveness since 2001.
According to PhD Nguyen Van Long, Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, the research manager, the study has revealed that Nha Trang Bay has high marine biodiversity with more than 812 ha of typical ecosystems; 6 kinds of mangroves; 7 kinds of sea grass; 115 taxa of sea bed fauna in sea grass beds; 504 coral reef creatures, etc.
However, the average coverage rate of coral reef is only 20.1%. Sea bed fauna recourses have decreased. 80% are mostly urchins, ornamental fish, coral reef fish. The sea grass coverage and density have remained in a good condition with the high density of sea bed fauna. The research has defined more than 25 commercially-exploited species with a total productivity of 327 tons/ year and a turnover of over VND11 billion, mainly from fish harvest. Lobster offspring harvest is estimated at 212,000, earning VND33 billion in total in turnover.
The study has shown that in the 2002-2015, 65ha (45%) of the sea grass carpet and 117.4ha (13.5%) coral reef disappeared. Hard coral reef coverage has been found in the whole region but coral reef are deteriorating under pressure from human and economic activities. Sea bed fauna and coral reef recourses haven’t had signs of regeneration yet. The biodiversity in Nha Trang Bay has faced many risks due to infrastructure construction, fishing practices, tourism activities, climate change, environmental pollution, Sea Star boom, marine aquaculture, etc.
PhD Nguyen Van Long has suggested for comprehensive mechanism and policy methods related to functional zoning, cooperation policies, use guidelines, natural resource management, offspring resource management increase, management method diversification, productivity management, eco-system regeneration; boost in scientific and IT application; labor training; education and propaganda for sustainable management of bio-diversity resources.
Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee has just examined and approved the research on marine biodiversity evaluation in Nha Trang Bay reserve (Decision 3334) and assigned Nha Trang City People’s Committee to transfer the study results to relevant departments and agencies (natural resources and environment; science and technology; agriculture and rural development; tourism) for management and application, according to Do Thi Hoang Dung, Deputy Head of Environmental Protection Branch, Department of Natural Resources & Environment.
V.L
Translated by N.T
