* Principal activities:

• Support the implementation of co-management and integrated coastal zone management at the local level.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of coastal natural resource and environmental management policy in the coastal provinces.
• Provide the action proposals and recommendations at local and national levels. 

*Three achievements in 2008 and early 2009

• Finalised the legal status of Trao Reef Marine Ecosystem Protected Area

Since 2001 Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) (originated from former International Marinelife Alliance – IMA) has supported both technically and financially the local authority and community in Van Ninh district to develop Trao Reef Marine Ecosystem Protected Area – the first locally managed marine protected area in Vietnam. Trao Reef Protected Area has been highly appreciated by external experts and organisations as an effective local authority/community co-management model. However due to its small area of approximately 89 ha (with 54 ha core zone) Trao Reef Protected Area is not qualified under the national classification criteria of marine protected area (Decree 57/2008/ND-CP) to be listed in the national marine protected areas system. This limitation is considered as the principal factor reducing the effectiveness of Trao Reef management and protection.

In 2008 MCD worked with Khanh Hoa DARD and DONRE in support of Van Ninh PC to facilitate the legal status completion of Trao Reef Protected Area. As a result Khanh Hoa PC approved Trao Reef as a protected zone and assigned the direct management authority to Van Ninh PC (Paper 4671/UBND dated 29^th July, 2008; Decision 1738/QD-UBND dated 28^th August, 2008).

The legal status completion of Trao Reef Marine Ecosytem Protected Area has not only reinforced the recognition of Khanh Hoa provincial authority to the effectiveness of a community based natural resources co-management model but also highlighted the successful 3-party cooperation between fisherfolks, local-level management institutions and non-governmental organisations in the field implementation of the state’s coastal fishery management regulations (Decree 123/2006/ND-CP).

• Facilitate successfully the commitment of provincial leadership level in Thai Binh, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh in recognition of Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve

Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve covers on 5 administrative units of Nghia Hung, Giao Thuy, Tien Hai, Thai Thuy and Kim Son districts of 3 provinces (Nam Dinh, Thai Binh and Ninh Binh). The core zone is situated in Giao Thuy and Tien Hai districts where two wetland protected areas called Xuan Thuy National Park and Tien Hai Nature Reserve are located. Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve has been recognised by UNESCO since 2004 and is highly appreciated due to its inter-provincial connection, therefore bringing significance to communication and community awareness raising on sustainable development.

In 2008, MCD and Vietnam Man and Biosphere initiated activities to foster the dissemination of information on the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve to the authorities and communities in 3 provinces involved.. Therefore the interest and attention of provincial leadership levels to the management of this internationally important area has been enhanced. As a result, the provincial leaders representative of the 3 provinces have officially recognised the title of Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve. At the same time an inter-provincial management board participated by the representatives of 3 provincial People’s Committees had also been presented before the public. This dynamic is considered as a  favourable initial condition to foster the connective growth of 3 provinces in terms of ecosystem-based management of the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve.

• Share information and build a connection between Quang Nam, Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa provinces in terms of Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) development and management.

Small scale marine protected areas managed with community participation has stirred interest in Vietnam. Trao Reef Marine Ecosystem Protected Area in Van Hung commune (Van Ninh district, Khanh Hoa province) is considered the first active one of its kind in Viet Nam. Study tours and community meetings were organised to share the lessons learnt from the Trao Reef management model to the fisher communities in Phuoc Dinh commune (Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province) and Tam Hai commune (Nui Thanh district, Quang Nam province) where similar models of community based coral reef management exist. Such exchanges are not only practical forums to strengthen the capacity of coral reef management in 3 sites but also potentially create a national network of small scale community based marine protection areas, contributing to the improvement of participatory coastal resource management effectiveness in Vietnam.