Nha Trang to suspend scuba tours to protect coral reefs

Nha Trang to suspend scuba tours to protect coral reefs

A diver swims over a coral reef in Mun Island of Nha Trang Bay, June 2022. Photograph by VnExpress/Duc Kha


Authorities within the central province of Khanh Hoa determined to halt scuba diving excursions in areas inside Nha Trang Bay which are susceptible to mass coral reef destruction.

The transfer got here within the mild of the shrinking coral reef ecosystem in Mun Island Marine Protected Space in Nha Trang Bay.

Provincial authorities ordered related businesses to strictly shield Mun Island space and cooperate with consultants and analysis institutes to totally assess the present standing of coral reefs.

Although Nha Trang beaches are up for tourism growth, marine ecosystem safety have to be a precedence, authorities stated.

Nha Trang Bay is almost 250 sq. kilometers and is one among 16 marine protected areas in Vietnam.

Lately, it has grown well-known for scuba diving excursions exploring its coral reefs and marine ecosystem.

An inspection by the administration committee of Nha Trang Bay earlier this yr revealed that the Mun Island coral reef has shrunk considerably in comparison with 2015.

The coral protection price to the island’s northeast dropped from 54 % to 32 % whereas the charges fell from greater than 50 % to 11 % within the southeast, and to eight % southwest.

Provincial authorities stated the lower in coral reefs in Nha Trang Bay resulted from the impacts of local weather change triggered by two highly effective storms in 2019 and 2021.

In addition they blamed the shrinking ecosystem within the bay on unlawful fishing, dredging, building of business parks and waste discharge.

Supply: E.vnexpress.net