On December 20, 2024, in Ca Mau City, the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) in coordination with the National Department of Fisheries Surveillance, the People’s Committee of Ca Mau province and the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, organized the activity “Announcing the establishment of Ca Mau Provincial Marine Protected Area (MPA) and discussing solutions to promote developing new MPAs in Vietnam”. This event aimed to contribute to strengthening communications for and promoting the engagement of the community and stakeholders in the establishment, operation and management of Ca Mau provincial MPA and other MPAs across the country, implementing the National Master Plan on protection and exploitation of aquatic resources issued by the Prime Minister in 2024.

Photo: Overview of the event

The event was held in a hybrid format, on-site in Ca Mau city and online via Zoom platform, with the participation of nearly 70 delegates representing various units of the National Department of Fisheries Surveillance, MCD, leaders and officials of Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, agencies and units in the province such as Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Science and Technology, Border Guard Force, People’s Committees of Ca Mau coastal communes and districts, local communities living and fishing near the MPA, and delegates from various national parks, research institutes, international organizations and businesses, experts, scientists and media outlets.

Photo: Event Chairing Team (Source: Journalist and Public Opinion)

At the event, Mr. Le Tran Nguyen Hung, Deputy Director of the National Department of Fisheries Surveillance, stated that the effective establishment and operation of the system of marine protected areas would not only contribute to protecting the sustainability of the marine zone, creating a foundation for a blue economy based on natural resources,  but also serve as an essential administrative and management tool to support the protection of national sovereignty, rights and interests in the East Sea, in accordance with the provisions of international law.

Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Ca Mau province, affirmed that in order to contribute to the nation’s efforts in conserving biodiversity and protecting marine ecosystems, Ca Mau province made continuous efforts in marine conservation. Up to present, the province established its first MPA, the Ca Mau provincial MPA, and is developing a plan for establishment of other MPAs. He believed this was an important step forward for the province in building an effective conservation system, for the goal of effectively protecting aquatic resources, rare and endangered marine species, and natural resources of scientific and economic significance.

As the technical support actor for organizing the event and having provided various practical assistance to Ca Mau province in recent years, Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu, Standing Deputy Director of MCD stated: “For over the past 20 years, MCD has been working alongside agencies, organizations and communities in many coastal geographies across the country to promote marine conservation, protect biodiversity and support sustainable livelihoods. Today, we are honored to attend this important event and warmly congratulate the launch of Ca Mau provincial MPA. This important milestone acknowledges the invaluable contribution of local leaders and residents, and is also the common joy of marine conservationists. MCD commits to continuing to work closely with relevant agencies such as the National Department of Fisheries Surveillance, the National Department of Fisheries and coastal provinces to enhance the coastal community capacity and provide technical support to stakeholders, promote effective marine conservation and co-management models“.

Photo: Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu – Standing Deputy Director of MCD presenting flowers to congratulate the Ca Mau provincial MPA

This activity was implemented within the framework of the Cooperation Plan for the period 2024-2025 between MCD, the National Department of Fisheries Surveillance, and Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on on “Technical support for promoting co-management and marine conservation practices in Vietnam and engaging in relevant regional collaboration”, which is a technical service contracted by Wild Earth Allies (WEA) to MCD.