There exists around 1,300 square km of along Vietnamese coastal area in Vietnam, but only 1% with pristine coral reefs, meaning that they have 76% to 100% coral cover. On the other side, 31% are in poor condition with zero to 10% coral cover. Currently, 96% of Vietnam's coral reefs have been badly affected by human activity, 75% of those face extinction.
Many species of coral in Vietnam are on the verge of extinction as a result of over exploitation.
In recent years, fishermen in Danang have used upgraded nets, causing tremendous damage to coastal reefs. The damage to the reefs off Son Tra Peninsula are prime examples to this fact.
Other coastal cities and provinces, such as Khanh Hoa and Ba Ria-Vung Tau face the problem of illegal exploitation of coral reefs. They have used both simple tools and heavy equipment, such as dredgers, which contribute to destroy rare ecosystems. Each year, Vietnam has lost over 50 tonnes of coral due to such fishing practices. Experts have warned that, at this rate Vietnam will not have any coral reefs left in 20 years.
In order to protect the remaining coral reefs, and preserve their potential economic benefits, the country must create a national project to protect, manage and develop existing reefs, say many experts. There are also suggestions of programmes to raise awareness of the value of such natural resources.
Among 800 coral types discovered in the world, Vietnam has an estimated 340 types. Most of these reefs are in the seas of Nha Trang Province, as well as Truong Sa and Hoang Sa islands. 205 types of hard coral and 27 types of soft coral were found at Ha Long Bay. In Con Dao Island, 219 types of coral have flourished, providing a habitat for 160 types of coral reef fish.
