The meeting last week was a forum to update guidelines from the national levelto provinces on the establishment of MPA according to the national planning andto discuss and consult on the necessary protocols and documents forestablishing Co To – Dao Tran MPA in northern Quang Ninh province.
It was organised within the cooperation framework between MCD, the Directorateof Fisheries, and the Quang Ninh provincial People's Committee, with supportfrom the project "Accelerating the declaration of Co To Island MPA tostrengthen the MPA network in Vietnam" funded by Rockefeller PhilanthropyAdvisors through Oceans 5.
The project aims to promote the Co To – Dao Tran MPA in Quang Ninh province tobe established and recognised, while strengthening the connection of thenational MPA network in Vietnam and promoting the active participation ofagencies, organisations, experts and the communities in the formulation andoperation of MPAs.
Le Tran Nguyen Hung, Deputy Director of Department of Aquatic ResourcesConservation and Development of the National Directorate of Fisheries,commented: "The protection of fisheries resources is always one of the toppriorities of the fisheries sector, in which the establishment of marineprotected areas is an important measure, which should be implementedsynchronously and effectively,” he said.
Ho Thi Yen Thu, Permanent Deputy Director of MCD, said currently, in thenational strategy for the sustainable marine economic development of Vietnam to2030 with a vision to 2045, the blue economy is identified as key.
“We believe that with the proactive action of government agencies in Quang Ninhprovince, together with the guidance and support of the national authoritiesand the involvement of the local community, the project will be successful inassisting Co To – Dao Tran MPA establishment process to reach the finishingline,” she said.
It is planned that after receiving all instructions and inputs from all levels,MCD will continue to work with experienced experts to assist Quang Ninh provincein completing the documents and procedures for the Co To –Dao Tran Island MPAestablishment, for the required appraisal and approval, and also promotingmulti-stakeholder cooperation activities to raise public awareness and supportfor the MPA and strengthen the network of MPAs in Vietnam./.