The Government has just introduced a master planning scheme to set up 16 marine protected areas (MPA) by 2015.

Cat Ba is one of Vietnam’s 16 marine protected areas

According to a statment from the Government, the system of these MPAs will be developed within the territorial waters and islands under Vietnam’s jurisdiction.

The VND 460-billion project will be carried out in two phases: the period of 2010-2015 and the following five years.

In the first phase, at least 0.24% of Vietnam’s sea area belongs to these MPAs and some 30% of each reserve is stringently protected.

In the next period, the MPAs’ area will be expanded and the establishment of some new ones will be taken into consideration.

The Government plans to issue mechanisms to encourage individuals and organizations to invest in building and protecting MPAs.

The future 16 MPAs include Tran and Co To Islands (Quang Ninh Province), Bach Long Vi and Cat Ba (Hai Phong), Con Co (Quang Tri), Nha Trang Bay (Khanh Hoa), Nui Chua (Ninh Thuan), Phu Quy (Binh Thuan), Con Dao (Ba Ria- Vung Tau) and Phu Quoc (Kien Giang).