Sea diving is a strength of the tourism industry in Nha Trang, however, this activity often cause adverse impacts on coral reefs.
Therefore, during the period 2013 - 2014, The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has selected Nha Trang to deploy a project named Green Fins with total funding of US$26,000.
The project has been carried out in 2 years from 2013 to 2014 aiming to support the sustainable use of coral reefs, coastal ecosystems.
The Institute of Oceanography – a leading agency of the project makes for a natural location for Green Fins to be implemented into the local diving community on a pilot scale before expanding into other diverse and popular diving locations in the country as well as other neighboring countries.
Recently, the Institute of Oceanography has examined the current status and characteristics of diving tourism industry in Nha Trang and proposed management regulations; consulted with relevant agencies. Website www.greenfins.net has been built to provide Green Fins materials and methods so as to promote and encourage sustainable practice diving tourism. At the moment, out of 13/15 diving clubs in Nha Trang have practiced Green Fins methods.
According to Mr Truong Kinh - Head of the Management Board of Nha Trang Bay, the protection and conservation of coral reefs, especially in the core area of Hon Mun have gotten attention from the community however, it still needs lots of improvement. Therefore, when the Green Fins project ends, Nha Trang will continue to replicate this good practices.