Restoration and protection of aquatic resources

Representatives of units participating in releasing fish to restore aquatic resources in the Da Dien estuary area (Tuy Hoa city). Photo: ANH NGOC

Regenerating aquatic resources

Phu Yen is a coastal province in the Central region, with many lagoons, bays, reefs, coral reefs, seagrass beds, etc. The flora and fauna of the wetlands and coastal waters in Phu Yen are very diverse and rich with many valuable aquatic species of high economic value. This area plays an important role in the livelihoods of coastal residents, providing fishing grounds and water for exploitation and farming activities, and is a potential for ecotourism, contributing to climate regulation, environmental protection and biodiversity.

In recent times, fishermen have developed the farming of brackish water shrimp, lobsters, marine fish and other aquatic species in coastal waters, creating livelihoods, solving employment problems, and increasing stable income for coastal fishermen. However, coastal waters in the province are under a lot of pressure due to unreasonable exploitation, causing depletion of aquatic resources. Many coastal marine ecosystems have been destroyed by aquaculture and fishing activities. Environmental pollution in many farming areas, especially in lagoons and bays, is at an alarming level.

According to Tuy An District People's Committee, aquatic resources in O Loan lagoon have long been the main source of livelihood for people living along the lagoon. Previously, people could exploit about 400 tons of aquatic products of all kinds in this lagoon each year, especially mollusks considered specialties of Phu Yen such as blood cockles, oysters, scallops... However, people have arbitrarily encroached on the lagoon's water surface for aquaculture and used some destructive fishing tools for exploitation, causing the aquatic resources in this lagoon to decline.

Every year, Phu Yen organizes the release of seeds into natural waters to regenerate aquatic resources, restore and protect the habitat of aquatic species, especially breeding grounds, places where young aquatic species are concentrated, and habitats of aquatic species, with the goal of restoring and regenerating at least 10% of the number of aquatic species in the list of endangered, precious and rare aquatic species.

Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Tri Phuong

Mr. Le Van Hai in An Ninh Dong commune (Tuy An district) said: Previously, aquatic resources in O Loan lagoon were very rich and abundant, many aquatic species were specialties with very high economic value. Fishermen along the lagoon used traditional fishing gear to exploit without being exhausted, many households lived and had their main income from the aquatic resources of this lagoon. In recent years, people have strongly supported the local government's determination to handle and strictly handle cases of encroachment on the water surface, using prohibited fishing gear to exploit aquatic resources in O Loan lagoon. Local authorities need to strengthen propaganda, select aquatic species endemic to the lagoon to release to restore resources...

According to Mr. Dao Quang Minh, Head of the Fisheries Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment), every year the province mobilizes resources from organizations and individuals, in conjunction with local authorities, to organize the release of seeds to regenerate aquatic resources. Supplementing and regenerating aquatic resources is a beautiful act, a necessary activity and also the responsibility of all organizations and individuals to implement Uncle Ho's teaching "Our silver sea is owned by our people".

"The Phu Yen Fisheries Industry calls on all organizations, individuals and coastal communities to raise their sense of responsibility, actively participate in protecting the marine environment and regenerating aquatic resources, and strengthen the protection of fishing grounds. Fishermen participating in fishing must be responsible, fishing at the right time, with the right mesh size, and aiming for sustainable offshore fishing, not destructive fishing, destroying the environment...", said Mr. Dao Quang Minh.

Local authorities have launched a campaign to seize and handle destructive fishing gear in O Loan lagoon (Tuy An district). Photo: ANH NGOC

Formation of marine reserves

Phu Yen's sea area is very biodiverse, including coral reefs, seagrass beds and some specific coastal ecosystems that the province has been researching and organizing to protect for a long time. Currently, Phu Yen is implementing plans and proposing solutions to protect and develop aquatic resources, support and supplement livelihoods for fishing communities, establish marine protected areas such as protecting spawning grounds, growing grounds, coral reefs, seagrasses, etc. The province's goal is to strengthen conservation, protection and regeneration of resources to restore aquatic resources, associated with effective management of fishing activities to develop sustainable fisheries, improve income and people's lives.

According to Mr. Nguyen Quoc Thang, Vice Chairman of Tuy Hoa City People's Committee, this year the locality is very pleased that the Department of Agriculture and Environment has chosen the Da Dien estuary to release more than 1 million giant tiger prawns to regenerate aquatic resources. This is a very meaningful activity, contributing to raising awareness of the community in joining hands to protect the marine environment, protect and regenerate aquatic resources.

“In recent times, Tuy Hoa City has resolutely implemented and strictly handled cases of using prohibited fishing gear such as electric shock, trawl nets, etc. to exploit aquatic products. Up to now, there are no more “three no” fishing boats participating in aquatic product exploitation in the city. In the coming time, the locality will continue to strengthen propaganda to raise people’s awareness of participating in protecting the marine environment, protecting aquatic resources and participating in responsible exploitation, not illegally exploiting,” Mr. Nguyen Quoc Thang proposed a solution.

In recent times, Phu Yen has made many efforts in protecting aquatic resources, conserving nature, especially protecting coastal resources. In addition to the efforts of the community and each individual, specialized agencies and local authorities are also implementing many solutions. Among them is raising awareness and responsibility of the community to jointly preserve and protect the environment, conserve nature and protect aquatic resources.

Regenerating resources is one of the very important contents in the planning for protection and exploitation of aquatic resources for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, approved by the Prime Minister. Phu Yen has implemented a plan to protect and develop aquatic resources until 2030 in the province with the goal of conserving, protecting, and regenerating resources to restore aquatic resources. One of the important activities is that the province is organizing investigations and assessments of commercial fisheries; assessing aquatic resources and habitats of coastal and offshore aquatic species; and at the same time, capturing information and data on coastal aquatic resources in coastal localities.

Mr. Nguyen Tri Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, added that Phu Yen is also forming a number of marine conservation areas, implementing co-management of aquatic resource protection areas and organizing the management of prohibited fishing areas in the area. The province regularly releases seeds to regenerate aquatic resources, restore some marine ecosystems such as seagrass, coral reefs, mangrove forests in Xuan Dai Bay, Cu Mong Lagoon, O Loan Lagoon and islands. Phu Yen is also aiming to release artificial reefs, creating habitats, habitats, spawning and growth places for aquatic species in some areas with favorable conditions.

Source: https://baophuyen.vn/kinh-te/202504/phuc-hoi-va-bao-ve-nguon-loi-thuy-san-4551dd3/