Protecting aquatic resources and conserving coastal biodiversity is one of the important goals in the Vietnam Fisheries Development Strategy. Phu Yen has been implementing numerous solutions to reasonably exploit potentials and advantages, strengthen resource protection and diverse conservation of coastal ecosystems.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment coordinating with departments, branches and localities to organize the release of aquatic species to regenerate resources in coastal areas

The flora and fauna of wetlands and coastal waters in Phu Yen province are substantially diverse and rich with many valuable aquatic species of high economic value. The area plays an important role in the livelihoods of coastal residents, providing fishing grounds and water surface for exploitation and aquaculture activities, and is a potential for ecotourism, contributing to climate regulation, environmental protection and biodiversity, etc.

However, coastal waters in the province are being affected by unreasonable exploitation and are causing depletion of aquatic resources. Many coastal marine ecosystems have been exploited or destroyed due to aquaculture and fishing activities. Environmental pollution in many farming areas, especially in lagoons and bays, is at an alarming level.

According to Mr Do Thanh Phuoc in Xuan Thinh commune (Song Cau town), Xuan Dai bay used to be very beautiful, many areas in the bay had coral reefs, seagrass and many aquatic species living there. Since the development of aquaculture, especially lobster farming, Xuan Dai bay has become increasingly polluted, some aquatic species here have also been affected and are increasingly depleted. To protect the environment of Xuan Dai bay, the town needs to promptly arrange, hand over water surface, and strengthen environmental protection solutions for people to stably raise aquatic products.

In the recent times, Phu Yen province has made strenuous efforts in protecting aquatic resources, conserving nature, especially protecting coastal resources. In addition to the efforts of the community and each person in the area, specialized agencies and local authorities are also implementing many solutions, in which the solution to raise awareness and responsibility of the community to jointly preserve and conserve nature and protect coastal resources is very important.

Mr Nguyen Tri Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, DAE, said: Many coastal localities in the province have established coastal fisheries co-management teams. The goal is to co-manage coastal fisheries exploitation activities according to regulations on resource protection and development, and responsible exploitation of fisheries; at the same time, strengthen solutions to manage coastal fisheries, restore and regenerate resources, and overcome coastal environmental pollution. In addition, the province is also implementing a plan to protect and develop aquatic resources, support and supplement livelihoods for fishing communities, establish marine protected areas such as protecting spawning grounds, growing grounds, coral reefs, seagrass, etc.

Phu Yen's sea area is very biodiverse, including coral reefs, seagrass beds and some specific coastal ecosystems that we have been researching and organizing for protection for a long time. Aquatic resources and these ecosystems have had a great influence on sustainable aquaculture development. The province has proposed many solutions to protect and conserve coastal biodiversity, help fishing communities participate in sustainable exploitation of resources, ensure livelihoods, which is a general orientation to protect the blue ocean, protect biodiversity, and combat illegal exploitation.

According to An Hoa Hai Communal People's Committee (Tuy An district), in order to protect Yen islet’s coral reef population, in addition to the functional agencies of the province and district, the locality has established a cooperative group to both manage, protect and conserve the coral reef and organize community tourism tours to contribute to creating sustainable livelihoods for local people. So far, the people here have been very aware of environmental protection, and at the same time voluntarily assigned each other to participate in protecting the coral reef, because this is a long-term and stable livelihood.

Ms Ho Thi Bich Van, a member of the cooperative group to manage and protect Yen islet’s coral reef, said: To protect the coral reef and protect Yen islet’s ecosystem, in addition to the efforts of the local government and people, tourists from inside and outside the province also need to accompany the locality. The group has assigned members to be on regular duty, guide tourists to visit, organize for tourists to dive to see coral in the Yen islet area, instructing tourists not to enter restricted areas, and not to trample on the coral reef. Every week, the group organizes collecting garbage and cleaning Yen islet beach area and mobilizes local people and tourists to participate in environmental protection when visiting here, etc.

According to the DAE, the province's goal is to strengthen the conservation, protection and regeneration of aquatic resources to restore aquatic resources, associated with effective management of aquatic exploitation activities to develop sustainable aquatic resources, preserve biodiversity, and the value of biological resources of Vietnam in general and Phu Yen province in particular; protect and develop aquatic resources based on an ecosystem approach suitable to the socio-economic conditions of each region and locality; integrate multi-values, link the protection and development of aquatic resources with socio-economic development, ecotourism and ensure sustainable livelihoods, improve people's lives.