Marine biodiversity preservation in Nha Trang Bay

Nha Trang Bay Management Board is making a plan on community participation in marine biodiversity preservation in Nha Trang Bay.

 

Areas in need of preservation

 

Nha Trang Bay has seen the development of natural marine species. The coastal waters from Hon Chong to Bai Tien have a lobster breeding ground, including Ornate spiny lobster clinging mainly to dead coral reefs at the depth of 5 - 7m covering an area of more than 550ha. Natural breeding grounds of spinefoot together with Bigfin reef squids and top-shells are found at Bai Tien (Fairy Beach) and Hon Rua (Tortoise Island).

 

 

 

Nha Trang Bay Management Board has specified 11 breeding-grounds, including 7 for lobsters, 2 for spinefoot, 1 for Bigfin reef squids, spinefoot and top-shells; and 1 for top-shells, abalone, turbo shells, and red shrimp in northern Tre Island.

 

A recent survey shows biodiversity conservation is underway with promising signals, especially coral reef in waters at Hon Chong Beach accounting for 20-30%, including 11.6ha of sea grass. At present, the restoration of coral reefs is under negative impact due to pollution risk from sewerage and tourism practice. Some residents and tourists collect and break coral reefs during low tides. Fairy Beach waters located in northern Nha Trang Bay have adversely been affected by the construction of tourist infrastructures.

 

Things to do

 

Huynh Binh Thai, Chief of Nha Trang Bay Management Board says the ecosystem in the bay is no longer in a perfect mood and many waters have been affected by natural and human impacts. The perservation is really essential to boost the population of coral reefs. Breeding grounds are situated in the waters hired by companies who are willing to take part in coral reef restoration and management. Therefore, Nha Trang Bay Management Board has suggested developing cooperation between the Management Board and companies to manage biodiversity resources in general and aquatic resources in particular. The cooperation is expected to promote the responsibilities of the partners as well as mobilize on-site resources and management capacity. The cooperation scheme has been highly appreciated for feasibility.

 

According to the scheme, businesses are responsible for promulgating ecosystem regulations in many ways to staff and visitors; cooperating closely with Nha Trang Bay Management Board to make regular patrols to detect and handle violations; making plans on activities towards ecotourism, limiting negative impacts on the environment; establishing zoning buoys to protect breeding grounds based on the proposal of the Nha Trang Bay Management Board; and funding the regeneration of natural resources and ecosystem.

 

Nha Trang Bay Management Board is responsible for conducting surveys and periodically evaluating ecological criteria set for businesses; cooperating in patrols to manage fishing practice and protect aquatic resources; providing counseling and support for businesses to locating and zoning to preserve the habitat of breeding grounds; suggesting plans to protect and logically use surface waters. The funding for the management and protection is extracted from investment sources of businesses and revenues from tourism practice and related activities. “The effort joined by businesses joining in marine conservation is expected to drive forward efficiencies. We are going to collect ideas from local authorities for the scheme which will be submitted to  the city for consideration and approval,” says to Huynh Binh Thai.

 

V.Thanh

Translated by N.T