Khanh Hoa (VNS/VNA) - The People's Committee of KhanhHoa south-central province has just issued a master planto preserve and restore coral reefs in Nha Trang Bay.

Provincial authorities have set out specific tasks and solutions,including raising awareness and changing the behaviours ofindividuals, communities and businesses. Scuba diving tourism at degradedreef sites in Hon Mun and other locations will be suspended, as wellas activities that infringe on habitats and coral reefs in the Hon Mun seaarea and other core areas in Nha Trang Bay.

They will strengthen control over aquaculture activities in Nha Trang Bay;patrol and strictly protect Hon Mun conservation area, and promptly detect andhandle violations of the environmental law in the Nha Trang Bay area.

In order to restore corals in Hon Mun and Nha Trang Bay, the provincialauthorities will conduct environmental cleaning.

The province will conduct surveys on the current status of coral reefs at scubadiving tourist sites around Hon Mun, to determine the extent and causes ofdegradation; and then implement appropriate restoration solutions for coralreefs.

The Nha Trang city People's Committee and Nha Trang Bay Management Board willco-organise the plan implementation.

The Vietnam - Russia Tropical Centre’s Nha Trang branch, in collaboration withthe Institute of Oceanography, will be responsible for researching therestoration of coral reefs.

The Institute of Fisheries Science and Technology under Nha Trang Universitywill test coral restoration by using "Biorock" technology in NhaTrang Bay.

The province will survey the function of the marine protected areas of NhaTrang Bay, and support the restoration and conservation of sea turtles inthe protected area and adjacent waters.

The province also will create sustainable livelihoods for the communityassociated with coral reef conservation in Hon Mun area and Nha Trang Bay byimproving the capacity of management, protection and rational exploitation ofcoral reef ecosystems for the community and social organisations in Nha TrangBay.

The province has mobilised contributions from the Bich Dam residential area'scommunity and domestic and foreign organisations, to create a sustainablefinancial source for the management and protection of coral reefs.

Bich Dam residential area developed an eco-tourism model based onthe green, clean and civilised island community, contributing to graduallychanging jobs for local fishermen.

The province controls discharge sources into Nha Trang Bay; perfects the systemof mechanisms and policies on the State management of activities in the bay;management and reduction of plastic waste in the marine protected area towardsthe development of a green marine economy.

Nha Trang Bay covers an area of over 500 sq.km with 19 islands. It has distinctecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass./.