Ha Long Bay coral reefs see strong recovery
Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh has witnessed a strong recovery of its coral reefs following the bay management board’s protection efforts.
The Ha Long Bay Management Board and the Institute of Marine Environment and Resources have jointly surveyed the coral ecosystem at Bu Xam, Cong Do, Coc Cheo, Tung Ngon, Luoi Liem and Soi Van in the bay.
The survey indicated that coral reefs in these areas have developed well, particularly those in Bu Xam and Coc Cheo.
According to the Vietnam News Agency, Ha Long Bay no longer had any reefs in very good condition in 2013. The situation deteriorated further in 2015 when a survey showed that coral cover in the best-maintained reefs was below 50 percent and the average rate in the bay was just 20 percent.
The damage was blamed on the declining water quality and the emergence of Drupella snails that eat coral tissue. Both of these are considered the result of human activity including tourism, fishing, pollution, and industrial and household wastewater.
But the Ha Long Bay Management Board has built a database of the ecosystems that could help with conservation solutions. In addition, it has also trained specialists in the management and protection of the coral reef ecosystem.
The board has also closely worked with Ha Long authorities to conduct regular patrols to detect fishing violations and promote the protection of aquatic resources.
These solutions have helped to improve the water environment and deal with illegal coral exploitation. As a result, some reefs have been discovered with coral cover as high as 60 to 70 percent, showing their remarkable recovery.
The Ha Long Bay Management Board and the Institute of Marine Environment and Resources have jointly surveyed the coral ecosystem at Bu Xam, Cong Do, Coc Cheo, Tung Ngon, Luoi Liem and Soi Van in the bay.
Coral reefs at Ha Long Bay: Photo by the Ha Long Bay Management Board.
The survey indicated that coral reefs in these areas have developed well, particularly those in Bu Xam and Coc Cheo.
According to the Vietnam News Agency, Ha Long Bay no longer had any reefs in very good condition in 2013. The situation deteriorated further in 2015 when a survey showed that coral cover in the best-maintained reefs was below 50 percent and the average rate in the bay was just 20 percent.
The damage was blamed on the declining water quality and the emergence of Drupella snails that eat coral tissue. Both of these are considered the result of human activity including tourism, fishing, pollution, and industrial and household wastewater.
But the Ha Long Bay Management Board has built a database of the ecosystems that could help with conservation solutions. In addition, it has also trained specialists in the management and protection of the coral reef ecosystem.
The board has also closely worked with Ha Long authorities to conduct regular patrols to detect fishing violations and promote the protection of aquatic resources.
These solutions have helped to improve the water environment and deal with illegal coral exploitation. As a result, some reefs have been discovered with coral cover as high as 60 to 70 percent, showing their remarkable recovery.
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