This was part of a conscious effort to address declining aquatic resources and an attempt to restore the coral reef ecosystem around Cham Island.
When participating in the Marine Protected Co-management Zone, local residents receive priority to fish in the island’s waters and benefit foremost from tourism in the area they protect. However, they also follow fishing rules outside the restricted zone and petrol the area.
The Cham Islands consist of 165 hectares of coral and 500 hectares of seaweed. The islands’ coral reefs are an important area for shelter, nursery, and food providing for marine resources. Because of the strong development of tourism in recent years, the coral ecosystem serious affected. Since 2013, colonies of young coral reefs on the coastal area of Cham Island have been revived by the Management Board of Cham Island and local residents. The work is a part of the project to protect the coral reef.
According to researchers of Management Board of Cham Island, they asked the local residents who have the great experience to determine which parts of the coral are needed to be restored. Then, each coral species are placed in the most ecologically suitable areas, ensuring survival rates of over 60 percent.
After running the project and co-operating with local residents, the Cham Islands now enjoy similar project outcomes as coral-reef fish density in the surrounding area has multiplied 1.6 times and 1.2 times in Bai Bac and Bai Huong beaches, respectively. In the coming time, the board of the protect area will establish a Marine Protected Co-management Zone. They also continue to apply their knowledge and techniques to protect and further expand the coral reefs in the area.
