Quang Nam (VNA) - The Cu Lao ChamMarine Reserve in the central province of Quang Nam is implementing a projectestablishing a coastal fisheries management and development model for thecountry, funded by the Korea Fisheries Resource Agency (FIRA).
The project is expected to create asustainable ecological environment for the development of fisheries resources,contributing to improving local livelihoods and marine tourism products, said thedirector of the management board of the reserve Tran Thi Hong Thuy.
Apart from specialised equipment, the FIRAhas sent experts to help with setting up artificial reefs in order to create a seabedecological environment, thus attracting more aquatic animals to the area.
It has also provided training forVietnamese technicians in this regard.
The five-year project, beginning fromearly 2019, has a budget of nearly 8.5 billion VND (368,000 USD).
Cu Lao Cham Island, off the coast of Hoi An ancient town, was recognised by UNESCO in 2009 as a worldbiosphere reserve.
It welcomed only 15,000 tourists in 2009, butthe figure had risen to 415,000 by 2018. There are no poor households on theisland and annual average per capita income stands at 42 million VND (1,800USD).
In the core of the reserve, sea preservationand environment protection have been the focus of attention from residents andadministrators over the last decade or so. The local economic structure hasalso seen a strong shift towards tourism and services.
Cu Lao Cham is clear evidence of the possibilityof harmonious links between nature and human beings./.