A place that preserves "treasures"
Cat Ba National Park was established on March 31, 1986, with a current total area of 17,362.96 hectares (of which the island area is 10,912.51 hectares and the sea area is 6,450.45 hectares). It is one of the areas with highly diverse marine biological resources, including many economically valuable and rare species. Within the framework of basic research projects since the 1980s, the Cat Ba sea area has been identified as containing approximately 196 species of marine fish belonging to 66 families; 177 species of coral belonging to 15 families; 658 species of benthic animals belonging to 146 families; 102 species of seaweed belonging to 35 families; 131 species of zooplankton belonging to 46 families; and 400 species of phytoplankton.
Cat Ba National Park is of great importance both domestically and internationally for biodiversity conservation. The coral reef ecosystem is of paramount importance. Attracting a diverse range of marine species, coral reefs are considered one of the most productive ecosystems in the world . For coastal ecosystems, coral reefs create a diverse habitat with numerous caves and crevices, providing organic matter, shelter, and breeding grounds for organisms, forming a crucial ecological niche for maintaining and regenerating marine resources. The value of coral reefs is also recognized in terms of recreation and tourism.
Given its crucial value, the coral reef ecosystem is one of the natural ecosystems that needs priority protection. However, in the last 15 years, coastal research programs in the Cat Ba archipelago have shown that coral reefs have declined sharply over time, with some reefs being completely destroyed.
Let's work together to preserve the coral reef.
Aware of the importance of coral reefs, the leaders of Hai Phong City, the Cat Ba National Park Management Board, and the people of Cat Ba island district have taken many actions to protect this "environmental carpet" that safeguards this marine area. Notably, this process has attracted the participation of businesses, who have contributed and actively participated in monitoring coral reefs and spreading meaningful actions to protect the marine environment and oceans.
Specifically, within the framework of the Vietnam Business Alliance for the Environment (VB4E), TH Food Chain Joint Stock Company (THFC, part of TH Group) sponsored and collaborated with Cat Ba National Park and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for two years (2021 and 2022) to implement a program: Coral reef monitoring aimed at proposing effective coral reef management and conservation solutions in Cat Ba National Park.
After two years of monitoring, coral reef coverage at the three locations was found to be only at an average level, with a tendency towards slow growth. Based on the monitoring results, specialized agencies have proposed specific solutions for effective coral reef management and conservation. One solution that has proven highly effective in coral reef conservation is the designation of protected areas and the planting of coral reefs to increase reef coverage, enhance species diversity, and restore balance and health to the coral reef ecosystem.
Currently, most coral reef conservation areas in Cat Ba Island lack or have incomplete systems of mooring buoys for protection and warning buoys. Therefore, activities such as fishing, aquaculture, and tourism services are directly impacting the coral reefs, leading to ecosystem degradation. Thus, establishing a system of mooring buoys for protection and warning buoys is essential.
Through sponsorship from TH Food Chain Joint Stock Company, the establishment of a system of mooring buoys to protect coral reef ecosystems has been implemented at three locations. This activity will contribute to the management, conservation, and development of coral reef ecosystems in Cat Ba National Park in the following ways: Clearly identifying the distribution areas of coral reefs in Cat Ba National Park, serving the management, protection, and conservation of marine biodiversity; and enabling fishing vessels and tourism services to identify the boundaries of the strictly protected coral reef ecosystem in Cat Ba National Park.
Furthermore, the system facilitates patrolling, inspection, and handling of legal violations within the marine conservation component of Cat Ba National Park, minimizing illegal fishing in coral reef protection zones. The system also helps warn vessels against anchoring in coral reef protection zones and against dropping anchor directly onto the seabed, thus protecting the coral reef ecosystem and other marine life in the area, while also serving scientific research and educational purposes.
Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh Thuy, Head of the Coordination Board of the Sustainable Development Committee of TH Group, stated that the funding for this meaningful activity originated from TH's environmental protection initiative. This involves selling canvas tote bags to consumers as an alternative to plastic bags at TH true MART stores, contributing to reducing plastic bag waste. All proceeds from the sale of these bags are used to fund this program. This is one of TH Group's actions and a commitment to social responsibility in protecting Mother Nature – the land, forests, and seas.
More information about TH Group
With its guiding principle of "Cherishing Mother Nature," TH Group (the owner of the TH true MILK brand) is one of the pioneering enterprises implementing a green and circular economy model through organic production, clean energy production, carbon emission reduction, biodiversity conservation, and a range of sustainable consumption solutions. TH's Sustainable Development Strategy comprises six main pillars: Nutrition - Health, Environment, Education, People, Community, and Animal Welfare.
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