In July 2026, the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD), together with experts from the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Marine Engineering, coordinated with the Sub-department of Sea, Islands and Fisheries Surveillance of Ca Mau to conduct an assessment of coral reef and aquatic resources at Hon Chuoi and Hon Hang, Ca Mau Marine Protected Area.

The activity was carried out under the cooperation between MCD and the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau, within the framework of the initiative “Technical support for promoting co-management and marine conservation practices in Vietnam and engaging in relevant regional collaboration” and contributed to the implementation of the Plan for periodic monitoring and assessment of coral reefs, biodiversity, and aquatic resources in the Ca Mau Marine Protected Area.  

Photo: Staff from the Ca Mau Sub-department of Sea, Island and Fisheries Surveillance and experts preparing for the assessment.

At Hon Chuoi, the assessment team applied the Reefcheck method and reassessed the transects identfied in 2025. The results showed that live coral cover at the western transect increased from 45% to 46%, while that at the northeastern transect increased from 45% to 48%. Both were classified as “average reefs” and approached the “good reefs” level. The survey recorded mature groupers over 40 centimeters in size, as well as economically valuable fish families, such as sweetlips, snappers, groupers, and yellowtail fusiliers.

Photo: Reef fish at Hon Chuoi	Photo: Sea urchins and reef fish at Hon Chuoi

Hon Hang was included in the periodic monitoring program for the first time following the establishment of the Ca Mau Marine Protected Area. Live coral cover at the northwestern and southern transects reached 26% and 32%, respectively, both classified as “average reefs.” At the northwestern transect, the total cover of biotic components reached 47%. Across the assessment area, four coral species of conservation value were recorded: cauliflower coral (Pocillopora damicornis), stony coral (Acropora millepora), lobe coral (Porites lobata), and daisy coral (Goniopora lobata).

Photo: Large-sized grouper at Hon Hang

The survey of the Hon Chuoi – Hon Hang island cluster recorded 12 species of large benthic invertebrates. Black sea urchins were found at high densities, while valuable species such as pearl oysters, pen shells, cowries, and turban snails were present in small numbers. The survey also recorded domestic waste, discarded fishing nets, cage aquaculture activities, a coral colony showing signs of bleaching, and hybrid pearl groupers living in the wild, all of which are risks requiring continued monitoring and control.

The survey results contribute additional data for monitoring the changes in coral reefs and aquatic resources, thereby supporting the identification of management priorities in the Ca Mau Marine Protected Area.

Photo: Coral reef in the Hon Chuoi area.

Through this activity, MCD continued to coordinate with and provide technical support to specialized agencies in Ca Mau in monitoring the succession of marine ecosystems, contributing to more effective biodiversity conservation and aquatic resource protection at locality.

Article reference: Two rare coral species recorded in the Ca Mau Marine Protected Area – Agricultural and Environmental Newspaper: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/ghi-nhan-hai-loai-san-ho-quy-hiem-o-khu-bao-ton-bien-ca-mau-d827696.html