Protecting coastal flora and fauna ecosystems in Quang Ninh

Marine ecosystems are the largest aquatic ecosystems in the world. Marine ecosystems include nearshore ecosystems (such as salt flats, alluvial plains, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, rocky tidal flat systems and coral reefs, etc.), offshore ecosystems (including offshore ecosystems, oceans, surface seawater, deep sea, oceanic hydrothermal vents and seabeds, etc.).

The coastal flora and fauna of Quang Ninh province is very diverse and rich. The flora includes native species and planted trees. Terrestrial animals are also extremely rich with native birds and migratory birds that come in winter. Marine animals are diverse in quantity and species...

Coastal flora and fauna ecosystem of Hai Ha, Quang Ninh province. Photo: Vietnam.vn

Quang Ninh has a coastline of over 250 km, a sea surface area of ​​over 6,000 km2, over 2,700 large and small islands and over 40,000 hectares of tidal flats, 20,000 hectares of bays. With the above potentials and advantages, Quang Ninh has had many preferential policies for investment, attracting resources, and gradually developing the marine economy.

However, due to the increasingly complex impacts of climate change, coastal environmental pollution from fishing and aquaculture activities has gradually reduced aquatic resources, significantly affecting the livelihoods of coastal residents. Faced with this situation, Quang Ninh province has implemented many solutions to protect the marine ecosystem and coastal aquatic resources.

In recent years, the protection of biodiversity and the development of marine ecosystems have always been a focus of Quang Ninh province. The locality has directed functional forces to increase patrols and strictly handle acts of exploitation that destroy aquatic resources and harm the environment, as well as deploy many solutions to protect coral and mangrove ecosystems in conjunction with building sustainable livelihoods for people.

Along with protecting the marine ecosystem, Quang Ninh province always focuses on inspecting and handling destructive fishing practices as well as regenerating aquatic resources. Photo: Vietnam.vn

According to Mr. Do Dinh Minh, Head of the Department of Fisheries of Quang Ninh province, since the beginning of the year, functional forces and localities have handled 238 violations of fishing, collecting over 3.3 billion VND for the budget. With the motto of sustainable development of marine livelihoods, protecting biodiversity and aquatic resources, every year the provincial fisheries sector organizes fish seed release campaigns to the natural environment to regenerate aquatic resources. In April 2023, the locality released 2.3 million aquatic seeds, including species with high economic value such as sea bass, cobia, grouper, whiteleg shrimp, and other species, into the environment to regenerate resources.

Quang Ninh province has stepped up propaganda work to fishing vessel owners, as well as coastal communities, about protecting the marine environment and mangrove forests, which is also protecting their own long-term livelihoods.

Mr. Hoang Van Thong, Ha village, Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district said: The revival of local mangrove forests has created a green belt to help withstand waves, storms and floods, and also brought aquatic resources to help hundreds of households have a stable source of income, improving their lives. Mangrove forests are also exploited by local people to attract tourists to experience catching seafood under the forest canopy.

Mangrove forests provide valuable aquatic resources, helping coastal residents in Dam Ha district have a stable income. Photo: Internet.

Dong Rui Wetland is assessed to be eligible to meet the selection criteria of a wetland of international importance as stipulated in the Ramsar Convention. Of the 1,227 species in Dong Rui, 67 rare species with conservation values ​​at different levels have been identified. In August 2020, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Ninh Province prepared a dossier to propose recognition of a Ramsar site for Dong Rui Wetland. The project has conducted additional research, investigation, analysis and evaluation of data on nature, environment, biodiversity, and socio-economics in Dong Rui Wetland area under the guidance of the Ramsar Convention Secretariat.

The early recognition as a Ramsar site in the near future will help to enhance the position of Dong Rui wetland in general and Dong Rui mangrove forest in particular in countries around the world. At the same time, it is a favorable condition to create sustainable livelihoods for people in planting, caring for, protecting forests associated with fishing and developing experiential tourism associated with protecting the coastal ecosystem.

In parallel, Quang Ninh always focuses on implementing detailed planning for Co To marine reserves, Tran island and Dong Rui wetland reserve with a total area of ​​about 5,883 hectares, focusing on implementing the goal of protecting ecosystems, protecting marine species of economic and scientific value, protecting the environment associated with developing ecotourism, creating sustainable livelihoods for people, especially those in coastal areas./.

Yanjiang