More efforts needed to preserve biodiversity on Ly Son Island
Destructive human activities have put coral reefs, sea grass beds and many other marine species off Ly Son Island at risk in recent years, with local authorities urged to make more efforts to preserve the unique ecosystem.
A corner of the Ly Son Marine Reserve in central Quang Ngai province. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Destructive human activitieshave put coral reefs, sea grass beds and many other marine species off Ly SonIsland at risk in recent years, with local authorities urged to make moreefforts to preserve the unique ecosystem.
Ly Son Marine Reserve in central Quang Ngaiprovince, covering Ly Son Island and its surrounding areas, has a water surfaceof more than 7,100 hectares, including the 620-hectare no-take zone, an area ofmore than 2,000 hectares for ecology restoration and another for developmentstretching across 4,470 hectares.
The sea protected area is known for highbiodiversity and an ecosystem that houses many rare marine species like blackcoral, maxima clams and abalone. But these creatures are in danger ofextinction due to the activities of local people.
Fishermen have used explosives to kill manyfish, seriously harming coral reefs. Meanwhile, hundreds of locals harvestnatural brown seaweed, which of▨fers shelter for many sea creatures, every Mayand June. They can harvest an average of 3-5 tonnes of brown seaweed daily,making it difficult to recover.
In addition, more than 150,000 sq.m of sandfrom beaches is exploited each year to cultivate garlic, causing coastalerosion and depleting sea grass beds.
To solve the problems, the provincialPeople’s Committee adopted a project to use advanced technology to restorecoral reefs near Ly Son Island in 2015.
Experts have been sent to survey the coralreefs and raise local awareness of the importance of animal and environmentalprotection. Local authorities and residents have also been provided withtraining on how to recover coral reefs.
A model for coral recovery piloted across 2hectares of the marine reserve has developed well, giving hope of bringing backendangered species and increasing local seafood yields.
The province urged Ly Son Island tointensify management of the sea protected area by requesting tour operatorsstrictly comply with the reserve’s regulations and keeping close watch on thedensity and development of rare sea species.
The island was also urged to get localpeople involved in protecting natural resources and to guide them to fishsustainably.-VNA
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A corner of the Ly Son Marine Reserve in central Quang Ngai province. (Photo: VNA)
