Protecting coral reefs allows them to thrive.

Recently, snorkeling and diving activities to view coral reefs in Nha Trang Bay and many other coastal areas of Khanh Hoa province have flourished, attracting a large number of locals and domestic and international tourists. However, in reality, many cases of snorkeling have inadvertently had a negative impact on the coral reef ecosystem.

Accidentally damaging coral

Recently, in the Hon Mun, Hon Chong - Dang Tat area (Nha Trang Bay), some tour guides and TikTokers have been filming their scuba diving experiences, including using bread crumbs and instant noodles to lure fish for photo shoots. Mr. Nguyen Duc Minh Tan, Deputy Head of the Conservation Department (Nha Trang Bay Management Board), stated that this behavior disrupts the ecological balance due to excess food polluting the water and causing fish to lose their natural feeding instincts, directly impacting the development of coral reefs.

Coral reef ecosystem in Nha Trang Bay. Photo: Nha Trang Bay Management Board.

On May 23rd, a nearly one-minute-long video went viral on social media with the caption "No need to go far, no need for tours - you can still see fish and coral right at Hon Chong beach," showing a diver at Hon Chong feeding fish and touching coral reefs. Mr. Dam Hai Van, Head of the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, affirmed that any actions that harm or impact coral reef ecosystems are strictly prohibited and will be dealt with according to regulations. Currently, the board has requested tourism companies to absolutely refrain from organizing activities where tourists lure fish with synthetic feed, and is also raising awareness among tourists about environmental protection and maintaining the ecological balance of Nha Trang Bay.

Furthermore, during low tide (from 5 PM to 8 PM on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month), the coral reefs along the shore are exposed, attracting many locals and tourists who come to take photos, collect shellfish, and trample on the coral, causing damage. Mr. Nguyen Dang Nam, a resident of Nha Trang, said that this situation has been occurring for many years due to the limited awareness of some locals and tourists. The lack of buoys to demarcate the sea area around Hon Chong - Dang Tat also makes it difficult for people to identify prohibited zones, leading to them entering areas with recovering coral reefs. It is known that the Nha Trang Bay Restoration Master Plan until 2030, issued by the Provincial People's Committee in November 2022, included the task of reviewing and demarcating protected areas with recovering coral reefs, but to date, the buoys have not been installed, causing difficulties in management.

We need to raise awareness about protection.

According to research by the Institute of Oceanography, coral reefs in Khanh Hoa are mainly distributed in shallow coastal waters and around islands, including some large reefs such as Grandbank (Nha Trang Bay), Thuy Trieu (northern Cam Ranh)... In recent years, the coral reef ecosystem in Khanh Hoa has seriously degraded, partly due to the increasing pressure from tourism activities. Experts warn that humans are "uninvited guests" in the sea and need to treat marine life properly: Do not touch, chase, or approach them to avoid frightening them.

Dr. Vo Si Tuan, former Director of the Institute of Oceanography, believes that coral reef communities can be protected through concrete actions such as: not buying or selling live coral or reef fish for ornamental purposes; not touching or stepping on coral; and improving diving skills to avoid collisions. One diver touching coral may not cause significant consequences, but when many people repeat this behavior thousands of times a year, it will have serious repercussions. We need to respect the living space of marine life, because seemingly harmless actions can cause them stress. Let's travel to the beach according to the principle: "Kill nothing but time, take nothing but photographs, and leave nothing but ripples."

Mr. Tuan also suggested that scuba diving services need to be strictly managed, limiting the number of visitors and only allowing those with professional diving certifications to participate in coral reef diving, instead of allowing this activity to take place on a large scale as it is currently.

Coral reefs are the most diverse ecosystems in the ocean. Although they cover less than 1% of the ocean's surface, coral reefs are home to approximately 25% of all marine life. They provide shelter and food for thousands of fish and other species, and act as a natural barrier against coastal erosion. Coral reefs develop over thousands of years, are highly vulnerable, yet are incredibly important to marine life.

THAI THINH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/202505/bao-ve-de-cac-ran-san-ho-phat-trien-1e343b7/