On December 19, 2024, the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD), in collaboration with the National Department of Fisheries Surveillance and the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ca Mau province, organized a “Training workshop on the implementation of co-management in aquatic resources protection” in Ca Mau city. This activity was carried out to enhance awareness, knowledge, and capacity for stakeholders and local communities regarding co-management in aquatic resources protection and providing technical support for developing provincial plan to implement co-management in accordance with local needs.

Photo: Ms. Nguyen Thuy Duong, representative of the National Department of Fisheries Surveillance, delivering the opening speech

The activity brought together nearly 60 delegates, including representatives from the National Department of Fisheries Surveillance, MCD, Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, and Dong Thap provinces, as well as representatives from relevant agencies, units, local authorities, and fishing communities in Ca Mau province. Meanwhile, representatives from international organizations and fisheries experts also participated in the activity.

During the training session, participants were provided with information, knowledge, and guidance on the implementation of co-management in aquatic resources protection, with the following key contents: (i) Overview of legal regulations; (ii) Technical guidelines for implementation; (iii) Guidance on developing provincial-level schemes. In addition, various experiences and lessons learned in the implementation of co-management in aquatic resources protection in marine areas (Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang provinces) and inland areas (Dong Thap province) were shared and discussed by the participants.

Speaking at the co-management overview session, Ms. Nguyen Thuy Duong, Acting Head of the Division for Aquatic Resources Protection and Development (of National Department of Fisheries Surveillance), highlighted that the Law of Fisheries, passed by the National Assembly of Vietnam in 2017, for first time ever officially introduced and stipulated the co-management approach. This approach allows the government to share authority and responsibility with community organizations in aquatic resources protection. Up to now, 11 provinces and cities nationwide have implemented co-management across approximately 160,000 hectares of marine areas and 2,000 hectares of inland areas.

Photo: Mr. Chau Cong Bang – Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ca Mau province

At the training workshop, Mr. Chau Cong Bang, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ca Mau province, emphasized the importance and necessity of applying co-management in aquatic resources protection, given the current state of the local resources and aquatic resources, which are at risk of degradation and depletion.

Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu, Standing Deputy Director of MCD, stated in her keynote speech, “MCD is honored to collaborate with the National Department of Fisheries Surveillance and the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ca Mau province to organize this training workshop. It aims to contribute to the process of jointly learning and practicing, so that the co-management approach can be effectively implemented at the local level, thus contributing to enhancing the effectiveness of aquatic resources protection, natural resources and environmental management in Vietnam.“

Photo: Ms. Ho Thi Yen Thu – Standing Deputy Director of MCD delivering speech

During the training workshop, the participants shared various practical experiences, including successes and challenges from different localities, regarding the implementation of co-management in aquatic resources protection. These experiences ranged from coral reef ecosystem conservation to integrating aquaculture with community-based ecotourism development, highlighting the critical role of local communities in resource management and in collaboration with authorities to protect natural resources and develop sustainable livelihoods locally.

Photo: A delegate from Khanh Hoa province sharing experiences

Through group discussions, with the guidance from MCD officers and experts, all participants developed an action plan for protection and development of aquatic resources in an area selected for co-management implementation. They also developed a framework for co-management implementation schemes, in which they practiced the application of the guidelines provided during the training sessions.

Photo: Group discussion on developing an action plan for protection and development of aquatic resources at the local level

This training activity is a part of the cooperation plan in 2024-2025 period between MCD, National Department of Fisheries Surveillance and several coastal provinces 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.