Vietnamese Updates: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE AND ISLAND RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT AND MARINE PROTECTED AREA (14 Jun 2013)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE AND ISLAND RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT AND MARINE PROTECTED AREA 
Thứ sáu, ngày 14 tháng 06 năm 2013 cập nhật lúc 05:49

Vietnam has a coastline of over 3,260 km (excluding the coast of island). According to the investigation results from thescientists, the waters of Vietnam have about 11,000 species residing in more than 20 types of typical ecosystems of six different marine biodiversity areas. Among the species discovered, there are about 6,000 zoobenthos, more than 2,000 species of fish(including over 100 species of economic fish), 653 species of seaweed, 657 species of zooplankton, 537 species of phytoplankton,94 mangrove species, 225 species of brine shrimp, 14 species of sea grass, 15 species of sea snakes, 12 species of marine mammals, 5 species of sea turtles and 43 species of water birds.

Coral reefs, sea-grass beds, seaweeds, mangroves, phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthos, marine fish, seabirds, marine mammals and reptiles with many high economic value species have been exploited and served welfare of the people and socioeconomic development.

Located in the transition zone between continent and sea, three typical ecosystems for tropical sea, including mangrove forests,coral reefs and sea-grass beds have close ties and mutual support, creating important "ecological chains" in the sea and coastal area.However, our marine ecosystem in particular and resources of the marine environment in general are facing many challenges caused by disasters and human. The degradation of an ecosystem will affect other ecosystems. The loss of such ecosystems will make Vietnamsea become "water rift" and marine resource reserves severely reduce.

In order to protect biodiversity in general and marine ecosystems in particular, on 26^th May, 2010 the Prime Minister signedDecision No. 742/QD-TTg approving the plan on the system of Vietnam’s marine protected area through 2020, with special emphasis on:

• Planning the system of protected areas to protect and preserve fishery resources and marine environment for the target ofsustainable development of fisheries and important contribution to the marine ecological environment protection.
• Building and developing the marine protected areas is the duty of industries and all levels, especially the responsibilities and rights of coastal and island communities.
• Gradually diversifying the investment forms to encourage and attract domestic and foreign investors, scientists and internationalorganizations, and also encourage the participation and management of coastal and island community for sustainable and efficient management of protected areas. (1)

                                                                                LE MAI

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(1) Dr. Nguyen Dang Dao. Speaking at the 5^th forum of Vietnam Marine Trademark. Marine protected areas with the sustainable development of marine and island resources and environment. (Summary record) Ha Tinh, 7^th June, 2013, page 11

Source: 
http://www.monre.gov.vn/v35/default.aspx?tabid=675&CateID=58&ID=127734&Code=1Q7F127734