On June 26^th, 2026, in Da Bac Commune, Ca Mau Province, the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) in coordination with the Ca Mau Sub-Department of Sea, Island and Fisheries Surveillance, the Ca Mau Sub-Department of Fisheries, and the People’s Committee of Da Bac Commune, organized an activity to provide information, share lessons learned, and improve practices in applying marine conservation tools for biodiversity conservation and fisheries resource protection.

The activity was conducted within the framework of cooperation between MCD and Ca Mau on technical support to promote the application of co-management and marine conservation, contributing to strengthening the effectiveness of fisheries resource protection and sustainable fisheries development in Viet Nam and the region. In Ca Mau, the activity was particularly meaningful as the locality is implementing the Ca Mau Marine Protected Area and the co-management model for fisheries resource protection in Da Bac Commune, while also promoting the participation of stakeholders and coastal communities in conserving marine ecosystems and developing sustainable livelihoods.

Photo: Experience-sharing session on the application of marine conservation tools for biodiversity conservation and fisheries resource protection in Ca Mau.

The activity was attended by more than 50 delegates, including representatives from management agencies, local authorities, border guard forces, the press, social organizations, cooperatives, enterprises, technical experts, and representatives of communities living around the Ca Mau Marine Protected Area and the Da Bac co-management area.

During the program, delegates were updated on the overall orientation and objectives of marine conservation in Viet Nam. They were also provided with information, knowledge, lessons learned, and good practices in applying marine conservation tools for biodiversity conservation and fisheries resource protection. The groups of tools introduced included legal and policy tools; management model tools, such as marine protected areas, fisheries resource protection zones, co-management approaches, ecological restoration areas, artificial habitats for aquatic species, and seasonal fishing closure areas; technical tools, such as monitoring and reporting, citizen science in monitoring ecosystems and fisheries resource changes, marine spatial planning, and marine use zoning; as well as other tools.

Mr. Nguyen Van Cong, MCD expert, provided information and knowledge on different types of marine conservation tools for biodiversity conservation and fisheries resource protection in Viet Nam and Ca Mau.

An important component of the activity was the dissemination of the management regulations and the sharing of practical experience from the Ca Mau Marine Protected Area and the co-management area, with a focus on management, zoning, patrolling and monitoring, and the role of communities in marine resource management. These contents helped delegates and local communities better understand the regulations, responsibilities, and opportunities for participation in the management of the Ca Mau Marine Protected Area, the Da Bac co-management area, and local fisheries resource protection activities.

Mr. Nguyen Hoa Liem, representative of the Ca Mau Sub-Department of Sea, Island and Fisheries Surveillance, shared practical experience from the Ca Mau Marine Protected Area.

The discussion session was lively, with the participation of representatives from management agencies, experts, local authorities, organizations, and communities. Delegates exchanged views on the roles and coordination among stakeholders in applying marine conservation tools; the advantages and challenges of local implementation; experiences and good practices that can be applied to biodiversity conservation and fisheries resource protection; and solutions to link conservation with sustainable livelihood development for communities living around the Ca Mau Marine Protected Area and the Da Bac co-management area.

An expert from the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Coastal and Offshore Engineering shared practical experience in applying technical tools for biodiversity conservation and fisheries resource protection.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, MCD Coordinator, facilitated the plenary discussion among delegates.

Through the activity, stakeholders and communities agreed on directions to strengthen coordination in the coming period, with a focus on promoting communication, raising community awareness, and encouraging local people’s participation in biodiversity conservation and fisheries resource protection. The knowledge, experience, and solutions shared at the event will serve as a basis for the locality to continue studying and flexibly applying marine conservation tools that are suitable to the natural conditions, livelihoods, and management capacity of Ca Mau, thereby contributing to improving conservation effectiveness and sustainable development.

This technical support activity helped create an open exchange among management agencies, experts, local authorities, social organizations, and communities. It also contributed to enhancing capacity, strengthening multi-stakeholder coordination, and promoting effective marine conservation practices at the local level. MCD is proud to accompany Ca Mau in the process of managing the marine protected area, implementing co-management in fisheries resource protection, and developing sustainable livelihood models, contributing to the goals of marine biodiversity conservation and blue economy development in Viet Nam.