The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will provide US$495,793 for the integrated management of the lagoon project in Thua Thien Hue province, says the provincial People’s Committee.
The project aims to improve the living conditions of local people who depend on the lagoon through sustainably managing resources, applying advanced technologies, and promoting shrimp farming and aquaculture.
The project will also help local people increase their incomes, devise plans for Sam Chuon lagoon in Phu Vang district and continue to support management for villages that receive its funding.
Covering more than 22,000 hectares, Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon stretches through five districts: Phong Dien, Quang Dien, Huong Tra, Phu Vang and Phu Loc. It is the largest lagoon in Southeast Asia with a diversified ecosystem which is home to thousands of aquatic animals with a high economic value. Around 350,000 people earn their living from the lagoon therefore, protecting the lagoon's resources is an urgent issue related to creating favourable conditions for thousands of local people to become involved in sustainable aquaculture.
Over the past two years, the fisheries sector in the province has proposed establishing a communal based seafood protection zone. In addition to Con Chum and Vinh Phu, five more protection zones have been set up on more than 160 hectares of the Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon, including Con Cat in Dien Hai village, Doi Choi in Phu Dien, Dap Tay-Chua Ma in Vinh Giang, Vung Me in Quang Loi and Nui Quen in Loc Binh. The province is also planning to establish two more zones in Con Sao and Ganh Lang.
The province has banned seafood exploitation in these areas and authorized communes to manage the aquaculture zones.
(VOV)
