Holding a significant strategic geopolitical position in the Gulf of Tokin, Bach Long Vi Island District in the northern port city of Hai Phong is endowed with rich biodiversity, especially coral reefs and rare flora and fauna.
Bach Long Vi island (Source : VNA)
According to former deputy head of the Viet Nam Administration of Sea and Islands Nguyen Chu Hoi, the island is home to a species of sea grass, 65 seaweed species, 94 coral species, 110 species of marine zooplankton, 227 species of marine phytoplankton, and 451 species of marine fish.
It also boasts 17 species of mangroves and 125 benthic or seafloor dwelling species, he said.
Covering around 2.5 square kilometres when the tide is rising and about 4 square kilometres when the tide is receding, Bach Long Vi holds enormous potential, particularly in processing, fishing logistics services, maritime preservation, and seafood breeding. In the near future it is planned to develop tourism, oil and gas services, navigation, and search and rescue on the island.
Tran Thi Thuy Nga from the College of Economics and Trade said the re-afforestation on the island is one of the top priorities to prevent land erosion.
Recovering coral reefs, which were destroyed by previous fishing activities, is essential alike to maintain and promote the biological diversity, she said.
She also suggested enhancing management capacity to address sewage discharged from fishing activities, overexploitation, and oil spills.
Apart from encouraging scientific research to discover more aquatic species and devise effective management and protection measures, improving technology to raise valuable and highly-economical species is as important, she said.
It is advisable to build eco-tourism development models that are environmentally friendly, she recommended.
She also suggested developing the household economy, encouraging locals to join tourism activities and environmental protection, as well as increasing incomes for islanders and diversifying investment sources for biological preservation.
The municipal People’s Committee should get engaged in international organsiations on natural preservation to promote the image of Bach Long Vi Island to the world and attract foreign tourists, she said.
