Many shortcomings when piloting scuba diving in Nha Trang Bay

Through 4 diving spots

Recently, the Office of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee announced the conclusion of Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Dinh Van Thieu at the meeting to listen to the report on the pilot plan for some areas to organize recreational sports diving in Nha Trang Bay.

Nha Trang Bay coral reefs are recovering well.

Previously, at a meeting related to the above issue, the leader of Nha Trang City People's Committee said that Nha Trang Bay has strengths in sea and island tourism... it is a place where many types of tourism are concentrated such as: swimming, diving, glass-bottom boat, walking on the seabed, organizing events on the seabed, island tours... attracting millions of tourists to visit every year. Currently, in Nha Trang Bay, there are over 30 businesses registered to operate scuba diving services.

However, due to the recent deterioration of the coral reefs in the Hon Mun area for many reasons, Nha Trang City has temporarily suspended diving activities in the Hon Mun island area. The temporary closure of diving sites in Hon Mun, only organizing diving activities at Hon Rom and requiring tourists to participate in diving activities to have a sport diving certificate has caused certain difficulties for businesses.

According to the Nha Trang City People's Committee, the temporary closure of diving sites at Hon Mun and increased requirements for tourists are necessary to ensure the restoration of coral reefs and other ecosystems.

In addition, the closure of the above diving sites also aims to carry out the task of surveying and assessing the current status of coral reefs at Hon Mun in particular and Nha Trang Bay in general, identifying vulnerable areas, thereby developing the most suitable plan for the Nha Trang Bay marine reserve.

Coral farming and restoration business in Nha Trang Bay.

The leaders of Nha Trang City People's Committee also said that, in parallel with the investigation, research and re-zoning of functional areas of Nha Trang Bay Marine Reserve, there should be temporary solutions to support businesses operating in recreational diving activities in Nha Trang Bay; to recover and maintain business activities after a long period of difficulty due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Through a survey by the Nha Trang Bay Management Board and related agencies and units, there are currently 4 suitable areas in Nha Trang Bay to organize a pilot recreational diving program in the North of Hon Rua Island (Vinh Hoa Ward), the artificial reef area in Vinh Hoa Ward, the Northeast of Tri Nguyen Island (Vinh Nguyen Ward), and the water area bordering Bai Tranh and Bai Soi (east of Tri Nguyen Island).

Coral reefs and other ecosystems in these areas are quite rich and diverse; do not affect waterway traffic and are convenient for transporting tourists when put into exploitation... Accordingly, Nha Trang City People's Committee proposed to organize a pilot program for recreational sports diving in the above 4 areas.

Giving is no different than forbidding.

According to the conclusion of Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Dinh Van Thieu, the policy of organizing the implementation of the pilot diving plan for 1 year, from the date of granting the license to the enterprise to participate in the first pilot activity.

Island tours, coral diving and sea walking have been the top choices for tourists when coming to Nha Trang for many years.

However, the conclusion requires Nha Trang City to supplement the pilot plan with necessary conditions to ensure absolutely no impact on the development of coral reefs and ensure a sustainable environment. Only allow exploitation with minimum capacity in the areas.

Notably, Nha Trang City is required to coordinate with the Department of Culture and Sports and related units to specifically identify diving activities that are allowed to be organized in 4 pilot areas. Of which, the 4 pilot areas do not organize diving activities for the type of equipment and underwater walking.

According to businesses specializing in organizing diving and sea walking tours, the fact that the locality allows a pilot but does not allow the use of equipment and sea walking is no different than allowing but prohibiting.

“To invest in a diving or underwater walking site, businesses have to spend a lot of money depending on the scale. First is to cultivate and restore coral, transplant aquatic plants to increase coral and aquatic coverage as well as attract fish to the diving site.

Only then will scuba diving tourists have interesting experiences to spend money on tours. But with a one-year pilot period and no equipment or underwater walking allowed, no business will dare to invest" - said a representative of a business specializing in organizing scuba diving tours.

In early 2024, the coral reef ecosystem around Hon Mun is in the process of good recovery. Coral cover fluctuates between 30-50%.

According to businesses specializing in organizing diving and underwater walking tours, protecting coral reefs and aquatic life in Nha Trang Bay is no different than protecting their livelihood. In addition, people who go on diving tours often do not have professional diving certificates, so they need “popular” diving spots to experience.

“Businesses that open diving tours in Khanh Hoa have been operating for an average of 10 years, at least 5 years. Everyone is aware of protecting coral reefs so they can take tourists there. We always tell tourists that damaging coral reefs is strictly prohibited.

Above all, whether guests are diving with equipment or walking under the sea, we always have our people by our side to guide and protect them as well as prevent actions that affect the coral. So allowing them to dive without equipment is no different than asking us not to do it" - Mr. Quang, a representative of a business shared.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/khanh-hoa-nhieu-bat-cap-khi-cho-thi-diem-lan-bien-tren-vinh-nha-trang.html