Con Co Island Marine Reserve was established in 2009 with a total area of 4,532 hectares, divided into 3 functional zones: Strict protection zone with an area of 534 hectares, ecological restoration zone with an area of 1,392 hectares, and development zone with an area of 2,376 hectares (now the administrative service zone).
Deploying plastic waste collection and environmental sanitation on Con Co Island - Photo: TN
According to the research results of the Institute of Marine Research at Con Co Island Marine Reserve, 954 marine species have been recorded. Of the total 954 identified marine species, 12 are precious, rare, and endangered species that need to be prioritized for protection, restoration, and development (including 8 species of coral, oval abalone, pheasant-eyed porcelain snail, black-headed wrasse, and zebra butterflyfish). With 954 marine species identified in the ecosystem of rocky reefs, coral reefs, and coastal waters of the island, it can be seen that Con Co Island Marine Reserve is one of the island seas with high biodiversity in Vietnam.
However, in addition to the benefits of tourism development and aquatic resources, in reality there is a large amount of waste, most of which is plastic waste such as bottles and plastic bags, discharged into the sea in this area. For the Con Co island area in general and the Con Co island Marine Reserve in particular, in recent years it has been facing the problem of waste, especially plastic waste. Along the rocky beaches around the island, there are tens of thousands of plastic bottles, plastic bags, household waste and broken fishing gear... discarded by boats, piled up in layers. Waste pollution occurs in many places on the island. In addition to household waste, a large amount of waste drifting in from the sea has not been collected, leading to backlogs and not being treated promptly.
Recognizing the development advantages as well as the risks of environmental degradation in general and the marine environment of Quang Tri province in particular due to plastic waste, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province issued Plan No. 4058/KH-UBND dated September 6, 2019 on reducing the use and preventing plastic waste in Quang Tri province to propagate and raise awareness of the risks of pollution from plastic products and nylon bags, limit the use of plastic products in the activities of agencies and units, replace them with suitable, environmentally friendly products to contribute to reducing plastic and nylon bag pollution.
On November 27, 2020, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province issued Directive No. 18/CTUBND on strengthening the management, reuse, recycling, treatment and reduction of plastic waste in Quang Tri province. The directive sets out specific tasks and solutions for each agency, department, branch and organization to effectively reduce plastic waste.
Thus, along with the potential for economic development, the Con Co island sea area has been, is and will be facing many challenges and pressures on the environment in general, especially the marine environment and plastic waste in particular. To help managers make the right decisions in environmental protection against waste issues, especially plastic waste, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment has implemented the project "Survey and assessment of microplastic content and their influencing factors in the Con Co island Marine Reserve".
The general objective of the survey is to assess the current status, classify and estimate the content of microplastics in Con Co Island Marine Reserve and propose solutions to control and reduce plastic waste in the sea area of Con Co Island, contributing to the sustainable development of the marine economy of Con Co Island. Develop communication materials on the current status and impacts of marine debris by combining science-based information.
Disseminate information/materials to the public through mass media and public events. Develop a communication plan to raise public awareness and change behavior. Adapt and apply best practices and campaigns to effectively change behavior. Share solutions and practices to prevent and reduce debris on land and at sea.
Integrate scientific findings on the status and impacts of marine debris into policy advocacy strategies/programmes. Engage youth, communities and agencies at all levels in policy advocacy programs and outreach activities against marine debris.
The research results of the survey mission are the first scientific basis on plastic waste pollution in the sea and coastal islands of Central Vietnam, contributing to environmental management, protecting coastal areas from plastic waste causing immediate impacts on the residential community, tourist community and long-term harm to the marine ecosystem. The research results help the government of Con Co island district in the management and handling of plastic waste reduction.
At the same time, strengthen research capacity on plastic waste pollution in the environment, open up research directions on plastic waste in coastal islands according to the approach of deriving the dynamics of plastic waste pollution; pressure of plastic waste pollution; current status of plastic waste pollution; impact of plastic waste pollution; response/response to plastic waste pollution.
In short, plastic waste has a great impact on tourism activities, environmental landscape and impacts on marine ecosystems. Reducing plastic waste will bring great benefits in landscape protection, tourism development and habitat protection of Con Co Island Marine Reserve and the marine area of Quang Tri province.
Tan Nguyen
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/bao-ve-cac-he-sinh-thai-khu-bao-ton-bien-dao-con-co-truoc-tinh-trang-o-nhiem-nhua-dai-duong-188571.htm
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