Up to 25 percent of marine species reside under coral reefs, many of which have been damaged.

Vietnam makes efforts to protect coral reefs

The typhoon No 12 which landed in Nha Trang City of Khanh Hoa province in early November caused severe damage to coral reefs deep under Nha Trang Bay. 

According to Dam Hai Van from the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, around Hon Mun, the area which under strict protection, about 20-30 meters from the coast and at the depth of 3-4 meters, 50 percent of coral reefs have been damaged.

The Nha Trang Bay Board of Management has consulted with leading experts from the Oceanography Institute on solutions to revive the coral reefs. The reefs which still can be saved will be taken away for rehabilitation in the north of Hon Mun Island.

From October 13 to September 2016, Khanh Hoa rehabilitated the coral reefs in Bang Thang Cape with support from scientists of the Nha Trang Oceanography Institute. The project goals were restoration and protection of the natural resources, marine environment and biodiversity. The project also helped promote diving tourism. 

Scientists set up about 100 artificial reefs with total length of 150 meters to revive coral reefs on a total area of 4,000 square meters. Three coral species have a high survival rate of 69.9 percent in the Bang Thang Cape area.

In June 2016, the Con Dao National Park Board of Management said that a big amount of coral in Con Dao district’s waters was bleached and dying over a large area of 600-800 hectares. 

Scientists discovered that in the eastern part of Con Dao, 60-70 percent of corals suffered. By November 2011, about 200 hectares of coral reefs on Con Dao Island had been recovered. 

The Ba Ria – Vung Tau Science & Technology Department reported recently that the hard coral groups at Ramsar site of Con Dao National Park are being revived by localities. When the process ends, the coral reefs in Con Dao will be restored.

In Quang Nam province, the Cu Lao Cham MPA (marine protected area) Management Board has been successfully using technology to revive corals in the MPA. Scientists chose Bai Bac and Bai Tra areas (2,000 square meters for each) to replant coral.

Under the initial plan, Vietnam would have 16 MPAs by 2015, but to date, 10 out of 16 programmed MPAs have been set up.

Source: VietNamNet