'Picking up gold' on coral reefs

According to the People's Committee of Vinh Hai Commune (Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province), since the Red Hon coral reef is strictly protected, corals are rarely exploited indiscriminately.

In 2006 alone, the whole commune exploited more than 1 million lobster breeds from this strictly protected coral reef. At present, each breed of lobster costs 150,000 - 200,000 VND, the benefit of the people in the commune from the exploitation and sale of shrimp is up to 150 - 200 billion VND / year.

The turtle nesting near the coral reef (Photo: TT)

Mr. Diep Nghia Hung, head of coral reef protection group in Vinh Hai commune, said: The coral protection group consists of six people, divided into three groups, two people a session to patrol and protect this coral area.

'At the beginning of our work, the people in the area reacted very badly, we had to advise us on the one hand and explain, in case of necessity, we have to be very tough, " said Pham Qui.

All 6 people who join the voluntary team live on fishing. In the days without duty, they went to the sea to catch fish. In the process of catching, if they find that boats are anchored in the sea to be protected, they seek to report to the mainland to prevent.

From the day the coral reefs are kept quiet, many aquatic species of high economic value such as lobster, sea cucumber, snail and . have found their way to this area. Fishermen's life in coastal villages around this area is also less difficult due to the exploitation of near-shore breeds. Statistics of Vinh Hai commune show that about 20% of the caught seafood of the commune is also exploited from coral reefs. Although it is a voluntary job, on this day, the volunteer group also takes a day to patrol. When they discovered something unusual, without means, they even used their fishing boats to go see it.