Feeding the ocean - Tuoi Tre Online

Children participate in a slipper lobster release event organized by Feed the Ocean - Photo: Sasa Team

The project was initiated by oceanographer Le Chien, founder of the Sasa Marine Life Rescue Center (Sasa Team) in Da Nang , and chose Phu Quoc (Kien Giang) as its starting point with the strong support of many members living there.

The project aims to change the mindset of young fishermen and children, not only in Phu Quoc but also in schools, so that future generations will know how to protect marine life and exploit resources responsibly.

Mr. MINH VO

Changing the way we think about the ocean

During a trip to release 200 mother crabs carrying eggs into the sea off Phu Quoc, the divers gently place the baskets containing the crabs down. The mother crabs quickly emerge, burying themselves in the sand to hide, and the fish immediately swarm to feed on the dropped eggs. This is how the members of Feed the Ocean "feed" the ocean.

Minh Vo, a project member currently residing in Phu Quoc, stated that numerous scientific reports and field surveys indicate a severe decline in Phu Quoc's coastal fisheries resources. Feed the Ocean will release juvenile native species carrying eggs or female individuals during the breeding season into the sea to help restore the populations of species that have been overexploited locally.

The species being reintroduced by the project include octopuses, slipper lobsters, sharks, stingrays, seahorses, eels, groupers, sea dragons, giant clams, etc. They source the juveniles from seafood farms in Phu Quoc or transport juveniles bred at Sasa Team's nursery on Son Tra Peninsula (Da Nang) before releasing them into the sea. "The campaign will be carried out over five years. After about two months, Feed the Ocean has released nearly 200,000 juveniles back into the sea of ​​Phu Quoc," said Minh Vo.

To many, this endeavor might seem like a drop in the ocean, even somewhat crazy. However, the members tell each other that at least they are trying to act in a way that gives not only their children and grandchildren but also the current generation a chance to get closer to and understand more about nature, especially the ocean.

Love for the "pearl island"

Most members of the Feed the Ocean project come from Sasa Team, with core members currently living on Phu Quoc Island. Minh Vo, originally from the city, chose to settle down and build his life by the sea "because he loved Phu Quoc."

Having studied in France, Minh Vo returned and spent many years building his business in Ho Chi Minh City until things stabilized and he had his first child. Three years ago, his family decided to move to Phu Quoc. A lover of the sea and a scuba diver, Minh Vo says he cherishes Phu Quoc immensely, appreciating its beautiful mountains, forests, and beaches.

The couple currently has a 6-year-old child, and their second child is due soon. They hope their children will be close to the sea and the beautiful nature of Phu Quoc, as this is very good for them. Like other members of the project, Minh Vo wants to contribute, however limited his efforts may be, to preserving what Phu Quoc has to offer for the future.

Having been passionate about scuba diving since his time studying in France, he continues this habit regularly even after moving to Phu Quoc. Each time he releases marine life back into the sea, Minh Vo directly participates with the diving team in guiding them to suitable habitats underwater.

"Under the leadership of ocean scientist Le Chien, we are implementing the project scientifically to maximize its effectiveness. We also hold fundraising campaigns, appealing to the community to contribute to purchasing breeding stock as a way to spread awareness and encourage more people to join hands with the project," shared Minh Vo.

To understand and love the sea more.

The prevailing fishing practices still largely involve trawling and electric fishing. Fishermen indiscriminately catch everything from large to small fish, preventing species populations from recovering. The project assesses that if this indiscriminate fishing continues, no amount of fish released will be enough.

On each trip, they film and share the footage on the Sasa Team Marine Animals Rescue fanpage. Some trips even include young volunteers, including students. Before releasing the crabs and fish into the sea, the volunteers learn about the lives of marine creatures as a way to understand and appreciate the ocean more.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cho-dai-duong-an-20240305100533211.htm