Effectiveness of the marine conservation co-management model in Cu Lao Cham

Protect and rationally use resources, conserve biodiversity

The Bai Huong village community was assigned by the People's Committee of Quang Nam province more than 19 square kilometers of the island and sea surface area to manage and exploit by themselves since 2011. Since then, the Bai Huong village marine conservation co-management sub-area was established with specific operating regulations, the village community is the subject of management and exploitation.

Planting and restoring alternative coral reefs creates a favorable environment for marine life to thrive.

Every year, the Bai Huong Sub-area Management Board has coordinated with units in Tan Hiep commune to organize communication and raise awareness for the community of 15 coastal communes/wards of Quang Nam province that have fishing activities in the Bai Huong Sub-area. At the same time, mobilize local fishermen to stick to the sea, practice multiple occupations, and combine occupations according to each season to exploit reasonably on the basis of regulations of local authorities.

In addition, the Management Board has also presided over and coordinated with local authorities to maintain the organization of about 100 patrols, control and monitor fishing vessels at sea to prevent and detect illegal fishing activities within the Bai Huong Sub-area. Advise all levels to regulate reasonable fishing areas and tourism areas for each stage and season to harmonize conservation and development. Coordinate with the People's Committee of Tan Hiep Commune and the Management Board of Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area to organize for households with fishing needs in Bai Huong village to register for fishing, thereby monitoring the strength, output, season, and species of seafood in Bai Huong Sub-area.

To preserve marine ecosystems, the Bai Huong Sub-area Management Board has proposed relevant units to organize training in diving techniques; training in monitoring and restoring coral reef ecosystems. From 2019 to present, the Management Board has restored 4,000 m2 of coral reefs and built 4 hard coral nurseries here. As a result, the coverage of live coral in the reef areas in Bai Huong Sub-area tends to increase and is at a good level, creating favorable environmental conditions for marine life to develop.

Increase income based on green tourism

In addition, the Management Board of Bai Huong Sub-area regularly reminds and checks to detect people and tourists using plastic bags in the area. Since 2018, the Management Board has implemented the model of "Meeting not to use single-use plastic water bottles". At the same time, in coordination with the People's Committee and the people of Bai Huong village, regularly organize cleaning on the last Friday of the month. Thereby contributing to improving the lives and awareness of the community about environmental protection. The Management Board also coordinates with the Youth Union and Women's Union of the village to monitor and audit ocean plastic waste periodically twice a year, thereby proposing many solutions to reduce plastic waste at sea more effectively.

Bai Huong attracts tourists thanks to its biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

Through the good preservation of landscape, environment, ecosystem, the image of Bai Huong Village Marine Conservation Co-management Sub-area is increasingly known to tourists, especially foreign tourists. The number of tourists visiting and staying in the Sub-area contributes to increasing the income of the local people.

Mr. Le Vinh Thuan - Deputy Director of the Management Board of Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Marine Protected Area said: The whole village has more than 100 households with nearly 400 people, of which 70% of households participate in tourism services. At the end of 2017, the average income per capita reached over 45 million VND/year, leading the highest income level of the village in Quang Nam province. By the end of 2018, the average income per capita here had reached 49.1 million VND/person/year. In 2020, Bai Huong village was recognized as a Cultural Village for 14 consecutive years. Currently, the village has no poor households, from 2019 onwards, it welcomed about 300,000 visitors each year. Tourism service activities all comply with the principles of conservation and development of natural resources, environment, biodiversity, culture - history according to the principle of co-management, ensuring sustainable development.

Ms. Le Thi Huong - a resident of Bai Huong shared that because of the practical results from this model, she and all residents are increasingly participating more actively in activities such as preserving the environment and protecting the resources of the Sub-area. Green, clean and beautiful will attract more tourists to visit, many businesses will come to invest, and together with the residents, organize tours and tourism services. And thanks to that, people's income is improved and more sustainable.

The application of the community participation model in marine conservation management not only brings sustainable livelihoods to people but also contributes to resource management and sustainable environmental protection of the Cu Lao Cham Biosphere Reserve.

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