Nha Trang Bay Management Board requests organizations and individuals to coordinate in protecting whales appearing in the Hon Mun island sea area.

Whales appeared at Nha Trang Bay Marine Reserve in July - Photo: Provided by Nha Trang Bay Management Board.

Whales appeared in Hon Mun sea area (Nha Trang Bay Marine Protected Area) in July - Photo: Provided by Nha Trang Bay Management Board.

Accordingly, in the recent past, the Nha Trang Bay Management Board has recorded the appearance of whales in the waters near Hon Mun Island - an area under the strict protection of the marine reserve. Through observation of morphology and behavior, it was initially determined that this was a Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) - a large, rare marine animal with special ecological value.

Bryde's whale is a protected species under the provisions of Decree No. 06 dated January 22, 2019 of the Government on the management of endangered, precious and rare forest plants and animals and the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Bryde's whale is listed in Appendix II of CITES; the appearance of whales near the shore is a particularly important ecological phenomenon, reflecting signs of marine environmental recovery. However, close approaches, noise or following by vehicles at sea can seriously affect the health and biological behavior of this species.

To protect marine animals and maintain the stability of the Nha Trang Bay marine ecosystem, the Nha Trang Bay Management Board requires organizations and individuals operating in the sea area near where whales appear to strictly implement the following: Do not approach, keep a minimum distance of 100 meters from whales - this is the necessary safe distance to avoid disturbing the natural activities of this species; do not drive vehicles to chase, block, separate mother fish from their babies (if traveling in pairs) or intentionally drive ships into the middle of a school of whales.

Inland waterway vehicles serving tourism must not gather in large numbers around whale areas, reduce speed, limit noise, turn off the engine when stopping to observe to avoid causing stress to individual animals; do not use drones (flycams) at low altitudes causing loud noise. Note that Bryde's whales use low-frequency sound waves (infrasound) to orient and communicate; therefore, noise from engines, aircraft, loudspeakers, etc. can disrupt their biological functions and behavior. At the same time, increase propaganda to raise awareness among the community, tourists and vehicle operators about their responsibility to protect whales and wild marine animals.

In case of discovering whales or rare marine animals, please immediately notify Nha Trang Bay Management Board (Ms. Cao Thi Truc Duyen - Head of Conservation Department, phone number 0975.184.239) for guidance on coordinated protection.

Nha Trang Bay Management Board requests organizations and individuals to cooperate; any violations will be handled according to the provisions of law.

THAI THINH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/moi-truong-do-thi/202507/ban-quan-ly-vinh-nha-trangyeu-cauto-chuc-ca-nhan-phoi-hopbao-ve-cavoi-xuat-hien-tai-khu-vuc-bien-dao-hon-mun-c805e7f/