In the morning of September 17, 2021, the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) in collaboration with the Department of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development of National Directorate of Fisheries and Quang Ninh Sub-Department of Fisheries organized a virtual consultation meeting to present and consult on the dossier documents for establishing a Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Co To – Dao Tran. 

The meeting was a forum to update the guidelines from the national level to provinces on the establishment of MPA according to the national planning, and to discuss and consult on the necessary protocols and documents for establishing Co To – Dao Tran MPA in Quang Ninh.

Delegates participated in an online meeting via Zoom on the morning of September 17, 2021

The meeting was attended by nearly 20 delegates, including: Leaders and officials of the Department of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development of Directorate of Fisheries; leaders and officials of MCD, leaders and officials of Quang Ninh Sub-department of Fisheries; delegates from various established and to-be-established MPAs (Cu Lao Cham – Quang Nam; Ly Son – Quang Ngai, Hai Van Son Tra – Thua Thien Hue; Phu Quy – Binh Thuan). The meeting was also attended by media representatives.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Vice Director of Department of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development of the National Directorate of Fisheries

The meeting was organized within the cooperation framework between MCD, Directorate of Fisheries, and Quang Ninh People’s Committee, with support from the project “Accelerating the declaration of Co To Island MPA to strengthen the MPA network in Vietnam” funded by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors through Oceans 5. The project aims to promote the Co To – Dao Tran MPA in Quang Ninh to be established and recognized, whilestrengthening the connection of the national MPA network in Vietnam and promoting the active participation of agencies, organizations, experts and the communities in the formulation and operation of MPAs.

Mr. Lê Tran Nguyen Hung, Deputy Director of Department of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development of the National Directorate of Fisheries commented: “The protection of fisheries resources is always one of the top priorities of the fisheries sector, in which the establishment of marine protected areas is an important measure, which should be implemented synchronously and effectively. The Department of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development always accompanies to guide and support the localities in the effort to build and operate MPA at all levels, including the Co To – Dao Tran MPA. That is an area with typical marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, sandy and rocky intertidal zones, mangrove forests, with breeding grounds, spawning grounds of many valuable aquatic species and in urgent need of restoration and protection.”

At the meeting, Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu – Permanent Deputy Director of MCD said:

Currently, in the national strategy for sustainable marine economic development of Vietnam to 2030 with a vision to 2045, the blue economy is identified as the key. Our project provides technical and communication support for accelerating the establishment of Co To – Dao Tran MPA, while promoting the participation of scientists, marine conservation experts, civil society organizations and local communities in the process. We believe that with the proactive actions of government agencies in Quang Ninh province, together with the guidance and support of the national authorities and the involvement of the local community, the project will be successful in assisting Co To – Dao Tran MPA establishment process to reach the finishing line.

Mr. Do Dinh Minh – Director of Sub-Department of Fisheries of Quang Ninh and Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu – Permanent Deputy Director of MCD

Mr. Do Dinh Minh – Director of Sub-Department of Fisheries of Quang Ninh Department of Agriculture andRural Development expressed: “We highly appreciate the support and guidance from the national level, the efforts and support from MCD and experts for the establishment of Co To – Dao Tran MPA, especially in the complicated situation of the Covid-19 pandemic. The establishment of Co To– Dao Tran MPA is a very urgent task in the current period and has important implications in the socio-economic development and local defense and security.We look forward to receiving the specific guidance of the Department of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development, and the comments and inputs of experts, experiences of other MPAs so that the documents and procedures for establishing the Co To – Dao Tran MPA are soon completed, approved and announced.”

It is planned that after receiving all instructions and inputs from all levels, MCD will continue to work with experienced experts to assist Quang Ninh province in completing the documents and procedures for the Co To –Tran Island MPA establishment, for the required appraisal and approval, and also promoting multi-stakeholder cooperation activities to raise public awareness and support for the MPA and strengthen the network of MPAs in Vietnam.

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