Coral reef protection and planning with Tam Tien Co-managment Community Organisation, Vietnam

 

 

The organization and local perspectives on conservation and stewardship

 

In Tam Tien commune, roughly 70% of people work as fishers (mainly trawlers), and 30% work in rice farming. Currently, Tam Tien commune has about 3 364 households, corresponding to about 12 570 people. At present, there are about 150 small scale fishing vessels in Tam Tien commune. The typical type of livelihood is small-scale fishing (approximately 70% of fishing is done near the shore, 30% is off-shore fishing). Each fishing vessel includes 3-4 people working from March to September (Lunar Calendar). Tam Tien has an advantage of a long coastline (7.5km) with a large population that have traditional knowledge and a hard-working spirit. However, there are still economic development challenges as the local marine resources are at risk. The environment is polluted and local’s livelihoods are often insecure as many are resource dependent. This has now become a concern of the government, who with several NGOs, have begun projects to enhance community-level capacity to protect and manage the area.

 

Environmental conservation and stewardship is the basis for the development and survival of the fisheries sector; to create abundant and renewable resources to develop the industry, to ensure sustainable livelihoods for fishing communities, and contribute to the long-term conservation of marine biodiversity.

 

Stewardship experience: Coral reef ecosystem protection and co-management in central Vietnam

 

The issue or problem being addressed

Tam Tien commune is located in the Central Coasts of Vietnam, where people make a living by practicing small-scale fisheries. Therefore, their income is mostly based on marine resources, and is at risk due to a reduction in both quantity and quality of fish harvested. Overharvesting, using harmful gears, marine pollution and climate change contribute to this issue. There is also still a challenge of fishermen using illegal fishing methods at nearby coral reefs.

 

The conservation/stewardship activities

After the successful implementation of co-management in Bai Dua Island, Nhon Ly commune, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh, Tam Tien was selected as one of the new communes to implement co-management in order to protect and steward marine resources (including the highly valued coral reef ecosystem in this area). Guard patrols and arrests are very limited because people’s vehicles and patrols are smaller ships, and patrol frequency is limited. To reduce overfishing and protect the coral reefs and the fisheries resources, it has been proposed to establish a coral reef area for co-management according to the Fisheries Law 2017. The People’s Committee of Nui Thanh district is drafting a plan for a no-fishing area, and simultaneously, a series of measures to reduce illegal fishing.

 

The measures introduced by the The People’s Committee of Nui Thanh district include:

• Strengthening awareness raising to address and reform illegal fishing (from bottom trawling to some other occupations that damage the aquatic resources or coastal ecosystem).
• Strengthening administrative handling: Provincial Fisheries Inspectorate and border guards are strengthening dockside inspection and inspection at sea to handle violations of fishing regulations.
• Supporting loans for fishermen to convert boats to other types that cause less harm to aquatic resources and marine ecosystems.

 

In the community of Tam Tien commune, people totally agree with the above measures. However, bottom trawling is a traditional fishing method and the number of these boats is still high. Fishers are open to learning new methods, but this needs to be done as a long process.

 

The success and significance of the activities

This project began in 2021, so success cannot yet be fully measured. Currently, the profile of Tam Tien Commune is being monitored and assessed in order to understand the situation of the ecosystems there. However, this certainly has already increased community cohesion and contributed to a stewardship ethic.

 

The benefits/impacts including sustainability/environmental effects

This will help ensure the protection of coral reefs and local coastal ecosystems, and in turn, the breeding and nursery grounds for many marine species in the coastal areas and surrounding islands. This contributes to increasing the sustainability of livelihoods of local communities, helping to make them stable in the long term.

 

The conservation and regeneration of coastal aquatic ecosystems will provide ecosystem services to local residents, ensuring a safe, healthy life and stable communities with access to a reliable food and income source. It is possible to rationally exploit aquatic resources along with protecting biodiversity. It is expected that this activity will lead also to more income sources through ecotourism, research and training services.

 

Some lessons learned or words of wisdom

Conservation efforts are best made with the participation of united local people. Engaging local champions, scientific resources and management experience would be great values for facilitating the co-management process. A strong partnership of actors and stakeholders can help influence change in marine resource management practices, and secure this into the future.

 

 

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Fishery Facts

(Below are the applicable categories of fisheries, environment, species, gear type and livelihood role.)

 

Fishery characteristics:

• Marine capture fishery (e.g. nearshore/coastal/reef-based/deep sea)
• Single-species
• Multi-species

The environment where fishing takes place: 

• Coastal – Estuarine /  Nearshore / Coral

Main species targeted:

• Marine – small pelagics (finfish) – e.g. reef fishes/herring/mackerel/sardines
• Marine – Demersal finfish – e.g. cod/flatfish/grouper
• Molluscs (including bivalves & cephalopods – e.g. octopus/ clams)

Gear types/ methods used:

• Trawl

Role of the fishery in local livelihoods:

• Main source of employment
• Full-time
• Seasonal
• Occasional