On the evening of December 8^th 2012, the Centre of Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD), the Department of Capture Fisheries and Resources Protection, and the People’s Committee of Cat Hai District organized the contest, “Ring Golden Bell – Learn about Marine Conservation in Cat Ba and Bach Long Vi”. The contest was part of the framework of the project, “Capacity Building and Completing the Legal Framework for a Network of Vietnamese Marine Protected Areas” which was co-organized by the Department of Capture Fisheries and Resources Protection and People’s Committee of Cat Hai District.

The contest attracted the participation of many teachers and students in Cat Hai District. The teams brought many elaborate performances to the Ring Golden Bell contest, which demonstrated their understanding of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Cat Ba and Bach Long Vi. The “marine life” fashion show received appreciation for the showcase of talent and creativity. The entertainment and game show related to marine environment protection also got good feedback from audiences.

Besides the aim of bringing the image of Cat Ba and Bach Long Vi MPAs closer to audience, the contest also contributed by raising community awareness about the protection of ecosystem and fishery resources. Mr. Nguyen Viet Cuong, director of the project, “Capacity Building and Completing the Legal Framework for a Network of Vietnamese Marine Protected Areas” said that the contest was an opportunity to urge leaders, local communities, and fishermen of Cat Ba and Bach Long Vi to implement regulations on the exploitation of fishery resources. Such regulations are associated with community responsibility for management, resource protection, and preserving the habitat of coastal fish species.

As a co-organizer of the contest, MCD hopes to contribute by raising awareness of coastal communities, particularly in Cat Ba and Bach Long Vi MPAs, about conservation and the sustainable development of marine environment.