On February 4^th 2020, Quy Nhon City People’s Committee recognized and assigned management rights to community organization for the implementation of co-management in protecting aquatic resources in Bai Dua, Nhon Ly commune, Quy Nhon City (referred to Nhon Ly  Community Group) according to Decision  445/QD-UBND.

Quy Nhon has been a rapidly developing city in recent years, the tourism industry has contributed significantly to the overall development of Binh Dinh province. There are always a number of inadequacies such as the pollution of waste discharged into the environment on the shore and in the sea, the coral reefs are reduced, increasing the pressure on the natural marine ecosystem,… These have been and still declining marine resources, including aquatic resources.

Photo: The meeting established the representative board of Nhon Ly Community Group

However, the awareness of locals is improving through activities within the framework of the project supported by MCD in company with strong support from the local authorities. In May 2019, activities to promote the establishment of Community Group and Plan for the protection and exploitation of aquatic resources in Bai Dua sea area in Nhon Ly commune were implemented, all under the spirit of the new fishery law of Quy Nhon City.

Photo: a coral reef at Bai Dua – Nhon Ly

Nhon Ly Community Group was established with the aim of gathering and uniting members, promoting the role of the community participating in Co-management in protecting and exploiting aquatic resources in Nhon Ly. This is an effort to contribute to the sustainable development of fisheries and community ecotourism, stabilizing the life and raising incomes for local people. The recognition and empowerment of Nhon Ly  Community Group not only contributes to the implementation of Fishery Law 2017 of Binh Dinh Province on Co-management in protecting aquatic resources. This also serves as an important step in completing the technical guidelines, criteria for establishment and monitoring of fisheries-managed areas of Co-management across the seas and towards promoting sustainable national fisheries management.

Activities in Project “Strengthening resilience of small-scale fishing communities and marine ecosystems at local marine protected areas, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam – Phase 2”  are funded by the ADM Hong Kong Fund, chaired by MCD and coordinated with Binh Dinh Department of Fisheries, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Binh Dinh Province. The aim is to strengthen institutional capacity, and develop policy in the coastal areas in the South Central Coast by improving local skills and experience using EAFM (Ecosystem Approach in Fisheries Management).