Vietnam, with 28 out of 63 coastal provinces and cities, covering 42% of the mainland area and home to 45% of the population, is recognized as a country rich in maritime and island resources.

As a nation bordering the East Sea, Vietnam possesses a marine index six times higher than the global average.

Its coastline stretches over 3,260 kilometers, and its sovereign waters - comprising exclusive economic zones and continental shelves - cover more than 1 million square kilometers.

The country governs the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, along with over 3,000 other islands and islets.

The biodiversity and diverse marine ecosystems in Vietnam supply abundant seafood resources to the economy, yielding around 5 million tons of marine fish, with a sustainable exploitation capacity of 2.3 million tons annually.

This estimate does not include reserves of marine shrimp, squid, or benthic organisms in tidal areas. Some 15 major fishing grounds - 12 coastal and 3 offshore - have been identified and are stably harvested.

Fish spawning occurs year-round, peaking from March to July. While Vietnam's marine fish populations are diverse, most are small in size, with 84% of fish schools measuring under 5x20 meters and only 0.1% classified as large (20x500 meters).

Consequently, Vietnam's fisheries are characterized as multi-species, small-scale operations closely tied to the livelihoods of coastal and island communities.

These characteristics necessitate strong conservation practices. Harvesting economically valuable species often results in discarding 30% to 70% of non-target fish.

Vietnam’s marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems have laid the foundation for its development as a robust seafood-producing nation.

Approximately 80% of Vietnam’s seafood is harvested from coastal and brackish waters, meeting domestic protein needs and contributing significantly and consistently to export revenue.

Expanding marine protected areas and restoring ecosystems by 2030

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha recently signed Decision No. 1539/QD-TTg on December 10, 2024, approving a master plan to expand and establish new marine protected areas, aquatic resource protection zones, and to restore marine ecosystems by 2030.

The goal is for marine and coastal protected areas to cover 6% of Vietnam's natural marine territory.

The plan's overarching objective is to manage and protect marine, coastal, and island ecosystems; expand marine and coastal protected areas to about 6% by 2030; conserve biodiversity; restore key ecosystems; and maintain the natural integrity between land and marine systems.

It also aims to address climate change and sea-level rise, while promoting sustainable marine economic growth, enhancing national defense, security, and sovereignty - aspiring to make Vietnam a strong and prosperous maritime nation.

Targets by 2030 include:

Expanding and effectively managing 27 marine protected areas, with total conservation zones reaching 0.463% of Vietnam's marine territory.

Effectively managing 59 aquatic resource protection areas and 63 seasonal fishing ban zones, bringing the total protected area for breeding grounds and juvenile marine life to 2.303% of Vietnam’s marine area.

Expanding, establishing, and effectively managing Ramsar sites, coastal wetlands, and important wetland areas to reach 1.5% of Vietnam’s marine territory.

Six key tasks and four solution groups outlined

The Decision outlines six major tasks:

Adjust and expand existing marine protected areas, Ramsar sites, and coastal wetlands according to approved planning.

Establish and extend networks of marine protected areas and wetland reserves as per approved plans.

Develop regulations and implement management in areas applying other effective conservation measures.

Restore typical marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves.

Effectively manage all types of protected marine zones, including seasonal fishing bans, Ramsar and wetland sites, and other conservation areas.

Integrate comprehensive data on marine biodiversity, fisheries, environment, policies, and management models into national databases on marine and coastal conservation.

Four solution groups include:

Policy, legal framework, and enforcement

Public education, training, and human resource development

Scientific research, technology, and international cooperation

Financial resources

Eight priority tasks and projects:

Public awareness campaigns on conservation and ecosystem restoration

Surveys to identify potential zones for alternative conservation practices

Restoration of degraded coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves

Evaluation of ecosystem conservation effectiveness from 2021 to 2030

Development of a payment mechanism for ecosystem services

Assessment of carbon storage capacity in key marine ecosystems

Application of GIS and remote sensing in marine ecosystem management

Pollution control in marine conservation and restoration areas

Implementation responsibilities:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will coordinate with relevant ministries, provincial governments, and agencies to implement the master plan effectively.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will guide local governments in managing Ramsar and coastal wetland sites according to legal regulations and approved plans.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment will propose funding allocations in medium- and long-term public investment plans as required by the Law on Public Investment.

The Ministry of Finance will balance the central budget and allocate funds annually based on proposals from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other relevant bodies, in accordance with the Law on the State Budget.

Provincial-level People’s Committees will carry out the plan based on their local conditions and legal responsibilities, with guidance from relevant ministries.

PV