(Binh Dinh) – On October 18, in Quy Nhon City, Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) in cooperation with Binh Dinh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) organized the workshop “Policy Dialogue on Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) – Lessons and experiences sharing in the Central Coast of Vietnam”. Key participants were representatives from Department of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development – Directorate of Fisheries and Provincial Department of Fisheries (Quang Nam, Thua Thien – Hue).

On-site scene of the workshop

The workshop content focused on generally assessing Vietnam national policies, perspectives, and laws about EAFM in coastal fisheries management in Binh Dinh, locally managed marine area (LMMA) in Quy Nhon Bay. According to MCD, Vietnam is an active member of international community and has committed to comply International Law, International Convention related to EAFM. Binh Dinh is one of provinces that have well approached and applied EAFM. In fact, apart from the master plan for fisheries development to 2020 with a vision to 2030, Binh Dinh People’s Committee has directed relevant departments and local authorities to effectively manage fishing activities, protect fisheries development; to organize community emulation movement to engage in fishery resources protection in 32 communes, wards by coast/lagoon. Currently, MCD and Binh Dinh DARD are implementing on project “Enhancing resilience of the small scale fishing communities and marine ecosystems in the Central Coast of Vietnam”. Within the framework of the project, the provincial agriculture supported communes Nhon Ly, Nhon Hai, Nhon Hoi manage inshore waters based on ecosystem approach, aiming to local coastal resources conservation and development.

Quang Nam and Thua Thien – Hue Departments of fisheries also introduced and shared their experiences in developing and implementing EAFM plan of the coral reef in Cu Lao Cham marine protected area; experiences in building and managing fisheries protection zone based on ecosystem approach in Thua Thien – Hue. According to local agricultures, for EAFM to succeed, it requires the understanding and concern of the authorities, showing through policy orientation and EAFM integrated application in local strategic duties.

Source: T.SỸ – Binh Dinh Online Newspaper – http://www.baobinhdinh.com.vn/