Challenges in maintaining marine ecosystems

Marine and coastal ecosystems in Vietnam provide numerous economic benefits (food, income, employment) and community values ​​(tourism, recreation, culture) to human life. However, the shrinking area of ​​natural ecosystems, declining yields, and poor recovery capacity are negatively impacting people's lives, especially the poor.

The value of marine ecosystems

Vietnam possesses a diverse system of marine ecosystems, including 155,000 hectares of mangrove forests, approximately 1,300 square kilometers of coral reefs, nearly 500 square kilometers of lagoons, and about 16,000 hectares of seagrass beds, as well as numerous tidal flats and estuaries. These ecosystems provide many vital services to the population, with approximately 20 million people indirectly affected by these services, and 8 million poor people directly dependent on them for their livelihoods.

According to the Center for Marine Conservation and Community Development: The total value of products and services from Vietnam's coral reef ecosystem is estimated at approximately US$100 million, with 1 square kilometer of coral reef potentially providing up to US$10,000 worth of seafood. In the Mekong Delta, 1 square kilometer of mangrove forest can provide 450 kg of seafood. Each year, seagrass ecosystems provide over US$20 million worth of aquatic products and services. The value provided by lagoons is estimated at over US$2,000 per hectare.

Protecting marine ecosystems will help stabilize and improve the quality of life for fishermen.

Regarding regulatory values, the coastal protection function of coral reefs is clearly evident at several locations in Central Vietnam, such as Bai Tien and Hon Khoi in Khanh Hoa province. Mangrove forests can reduce coastal erosion and protect coastlines from storms and tidal surges. Each square meter of seagrass can produce 10 liters of dissolved oxygen, contributing to the balance of O2 and CO2 in the water, reducing the greenhouse effect by absorbing CO2 into the water.

Each acre (equivalent to 0.44 ha) of seagrass can produce 10 tons of leaves per year. This biomass provides food, habitat, and breeding grounds for many invertebrate and vertebrate species, both juvenile and adult. Seagrass species also contribute to the food web, either directly through seagrass-eating animals or indirectly after the seagrass plants die and become detritus.

Risk of recession

According to research and surveys by the Institute of Marine Resources and Environment, Vietnam's marine ecosystems have been deteriorating in both quantity and quality over the past few decades. Only 1% of the 1,300 km2 of coral reefs along the coast are currently in good condition. Coral cover decreased by 30% in some areas between 1993 and 2004. Mangrove ecosystems have also been severely degraded since the beginning of the 20th century. The amount of seafood caught per hectare in lagoons has decreased by more than half in the last decade. Seagrass beds in Khanh Hoa province have shrunk significantly at a rate of 80 hectares per year.

The primary cause of marine ecosystem degradation is the increasing demand for ecosystem services, mainly due to population pressure. For example, the total area for shrimp farming was only 250,000 hectares in 2000, but by 2003 it had risen to 530,000 hectares. Currently, Vietnam is among the countries with the largest shrimp farming area in the world.

In addition, other factors affect marine ecosystems such as overexploitation in coastal areas, destructive fishing practices, unsustainable aquaculture, rampant industrial activities and land use, and climate change.

To address this situation, many experts believe that coastal resources are declining. Therefore, localities need to find and choose alternative livelihood methods for fishermen instead of just exploiting seafood as they do now. This could be tourism or other alternative services, aiming to help future generations of fishermen change their way of earning a living.

Other opinions suggest that integrated coastal zone management policies should be promoted at both the policy-making and implementation levels. Businesses that utilize ecosystem services must compensate those who depend on these resources for their livelihoods. On the other hand, the government should encourage the development of industries in marine and coastal areas.

According to News