Join hands to protect Trao Reef

Restored ecosystem

The Ran Trao Marine Ecosystem Protection Area covers an area of 89 hectares, of which the core area covers 54 hectares with a large coral reef. Ran Trao is assessed to have a rich and diverse flora and fauna and a fairly high coral coverage with good quality compared to other reefs in Van Phong Bay. In 2008, Ran Trao Marine Ecosystem Protection Area was established with the purpose of zoning to protect aquatic species resources, protect the marine environment, conduct scientific research, study tours, develop livelihoods, and receive domestic and foreign sponsored projects. Since its establishment, Ran Trao Marine Ecosystem Protection Area has received support from many organizations such as: International Marine Biology Alliance in Vietnam; Center for Marine Life Conservation and Community Development (MCD); Community Development Fund; Coastal Resources Project for Sustainable Development... In particular, in 2023, the People's Committee of Van Ninh district announced and awarded the decision to recognize and assign the management rights of Ran Trao Marine Ecosystem Protection Area to the Van Hung Commune Aquatic Resources Protection Community Group.

The fishing community of Van Hung commune both develops its livelihood and protects the Ran Trao marine ecosystem.

After more than 2 years of being recognized and assigned management rights, the Van Hung Commune Aquatic Resources Protection Community Group has actively organized, managed, patrolled, and inspected aquaculture and fishing activities at Ran Trao; the livelihoods of community members are also ensured thanks to the development of aquaculture in the buffer zone... The presence and management of the fishing community, especially members of the aquaculture community group in the Ran Trao area, have brought about positive changes in the protection and development of aquatic resources, minimizing negative impacts on the area. In addition, the conservation and development of aquatic resources at Ran Trao has also received great attention from organizations and businesses, which have joined hands every year to release fish to regenerate aquatic resources here...

Mr. Huynh Ngoc Sang - Vice Chairman of Van Hung Commune People's Committee, Head of the Community Group for Aquatic Resources Protection in Van Hung Commune shared: “Recent surveys by MCD and related agencies show that coral reefs and seagrasses at Ran Trao are developing very well, with high density, including: hard and soft corals; many types of reef fish, shrimp, crabs, snails, sea cucumbers, abalone, sea urchins, etc. have gathered in the coral reef area of the protected area. In addition, the awareness of preserving the marine environment and aquatic resources of local people has been raised, the situation of exploiting seafood with destructive tools in the Ran Trao area has been eliminated. Currently, in Ran Trao, the number of aquatic species accounts for more than 50% of the total number of species in Van Phong Bay, of which coral accounts for 64%, reef fish accounts for 69%, seagrass accounts for 75% compared to the total number of aquatic species in Van Phong Bay”.

There are still difficulties

The implementation of co-management shows that the protection of the Ran Trao marine ecosystem still faces some difficulties when the awareness and understanding of some fishermen about co-management and protection of aquatic resources is still limited. The Van Hung commune aquatic resources protection community group lacks resources to maintain management and protection activities of Ran Trao and implement livelihood development models for community group members. During patrol work, due to damaged equipment, it is impossible to repel cases of exploitation violations in the Ran Trao sea area. Currently, the buoy installation in the Trao Reef area is not complete, not showing the core zone, buffer zone, so it is difficult to patrol and protect... "Despite the difficulties, the Van Hung Commune Aquatic Resources Protection Community Group will strive to overcome them, continue to coordinate with relevant units to strengthen propaganda and mobilize people to raise awareness in protecting and restoring aquatic resources at Trao Reef; mobilize more dedicated and responsible fishermen to join the group to co-manage Trao Reef. We recommend that the province pay attention to supporting operating costs, especially patrolling, controlling and protecting Trao Reef; invest in a buoy system to mark the boundaries and waters of Trao Reef Marine Ecosystem Protection Area; support livelihood development for members of the group...", Mr. Sang said.

According to Mr. Le Dinh Khiem - Head of the Department of Fisheries, Seas and Islands, up to now, the Van Hung Commune Aquatic Resources Protection Community Group has effectively protected and developed aquatic resources at Trao Reef according to the co-management model. This model will continue to be replicated in coastal localities in the province to improve management efficiency, gradually restore coastal aquatic resources and improve the lives of coastal fishing communities. With the difficulties of the Van Hung Commune Aquatic Resources Protection Community Group in implementing co-management of Trao Reef, the People's Committee of Van Ninh District and the Department of Agriculture and Environment have proposed that the Provincial People's Committee consider supporting annual operating costs for the community group; investing in a buoy system to mark the boundary of the Trao Reef marine ecosystem protection area... The Provincial People's Committee has issued an official dispatch assigning the Department of Finance to proactively work with the Department of Agriculture and Environment to unify and advise the Provincial People's Committee on supporting operating costs for the Van Hung Commune Aquatic Resources Protection Community Group.

HAI LANG

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/202505/chung-tay-bao-ve-ran-trao-8aa54e6/