Hon Ngu - Dao Mat Marine Reserve of 3,000 hectares will be established in Nghe An

On May 9, on behalf of the Government, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang signed Decision No. 389/QD-TTg approving the Planning for protection and exploitation of aquatic resources for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

The sea seen from Mat Island at sunset. Photo: PV

During the planning period, our country will have 27 marine reserves established and operating effectively with a total protected sea area of about 463,587 hectares, accounting for about 0.463% of the natural area of the national sea (sea areas under national jurisdiction).

Specifically, the planning identifies the transition of 6 established marine reserves, including 2 marine reserves classified as nature reserves: Bach Long Vi Marine Reserve of 27,000 hectares in Hai Phong City and Cu Lao Cham Marine Reserve of 23,488 hectares in Quang Nam Province.

At the same time, 4 marine reserves classified as existing species-habitat reserves are Con Co Marine Reserve with an area of 4,302 hectares in Quang Tri province; Ly Son Marine Reserve with an area of 8,100 hectares in Quang Ngai province; Hon Cau Marine Reserve with an area of 12,500 hectares in Binh Thuan province and Phu Quoc Marine Reserve with an area of more than 40,909 hectares in Kien Giang province.

The Plan aims to establish 21 new marine reserves; including 11 national marine reserves and 16 provincial marine reserves. In the sea area of Nghe An province, Hon Ngu - Dao Mat Marine Reserve will be established. This is a provincial marine reserve, classified as a species - habitat conservation area.

bna_Screen Shot 2024-05-16 at 09.42.21.png — Hon Ngu is more than 4 km from shore, consisting of two large and small islands. Photo: Google Maps

Hon Ngu and Dao Mat are both located off the coast of Cua Lo town, Nghe An province. Of which, Hon Ngu island is more than 4 km from shore. The island consists of two large and small islands. The large island is 133 m high, the small island is 88 m high above sea level with a total area of 2.5 km².

Mat Island, also known as Hon Mat, has an area of 80 hectares with a coastline around the island of 5 km. The island is located about 19 km west of the nearest mainland point, Lam River mouth, in a southwest direction. There are some small rocky islands located to the east, about 2.3 km away. The island has a steep slope, the highest point is 218 m above sea level.

The sea area off Cua Lo, between these two islands, has great potential for seafood and tourism development. The marine and coastal ecosystems, including the established marine protected area system, play an important role in maintaining biodiversity, providing seafood resources, regulating weather and climate, and being a natural infrastructure to withstand natural disasters and climate change.

bna_Screen Shot 2024-05-16 at 09.42.39.png — Mat Island has an area of 80 hectares with a coastline around the island of 5 km. The island is located about 19 km from the nearest mainland point, the Lam River estuary. Photo: Google Maps

Expanding the area of marine reserves is an important part of the blue economy, considered one of the effective and low-cost methods to maintain and manage aquatic resources and protect marine biodiversity.

To establish, manage and effectively organize the activities of marine protected areas, the Plan for protection and exploitation of aquatic resources for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, has proposed many implementation solutions.

In particular, emphasizing research on policy development on investment in essential infrastructure items for marine reserves; enhancing socialization, attracting non-budgetary capital sources for the establishment and management of marine reserves; associated with increasing the State investment budget for management, construction and development of marine reserves.

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