Decision 485, released earlier this month, stipulates that these projects will be carried out over the next 13 years, with priority given to completing a database of high-risk maritime animals and identifying protection methods for each of the animals by 2010.
The total cost is estimated at around VND 570 billion (US$ 35.6 million), covering the construction of marine reservation parks, a surveillance network, gene storage, communication activities and development of relevant laws.
The decision, consisting of two chapters and 14 articles, regulates the classification, management, protection and development of marine reserves of national and international significance in
In particular cases relating to national security, individuals and organizations will only be allowed to carry out activities within these reserves after getting permission from the Prime Minister.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will work with relevant ministries and agencies to map out a master plan for the management of marine reserve systems and build reserves for better sea resources management.
Currently the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Department of Aquatic Resource Exploitation and Protection is the key state agency in charge of high-risk marine animal protection.
While there had been previous marine animal protection projects by state agencies, international organizations or both, they aimed at specific species, said environment specialist Vu Van Trieu from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Although
