Quang Tri protects ecosystems of Con Co Island Marine Reserve from ocean plastic pollution

Established in 2009, the Con Co Island Marine Reserve spans a total area of 4,532 hectares, divided into three functional zones: a strictly protected zone of 534 hectares, an ecological restoration zone of 1,392 hectares, and a development zone of 2,376 hectares (now designated as the administrative service zone).

Quang Tri authorities are actively working to safeguard the ecosystem of the Con Co Island Marine Reserve from the threats posed by ocean plastic pollution.

According to research conducted by the Fisheries Research Institute at the Con Co Island Marine Reserve, 954 marine species have been recorded. Among these, 12 species are classified as rare or endangered and require priority protection, restoration, and development. This includes eight species of coral, the oval abalones, the eye-spotted cowries, the black-headed seabirds, and the striped butterflyfish. With these 954 species identified within the reef ecosystems and coastal waters, it is evident that Con Co Island Marine Reserve is one of the most biodiverse marine areas in Vietnam.

However, despite the benefits from tourism development and fisheries resources, there is a significant amount of waste in this area, primarily plastic waste such as bottles and plastic bags being dumped into the sea. The Con Co Island area, particularly the marine reserve, has been facing a growing problem with waste, especially plastic. Surrounding the rocky shores of the island, there are thousands of plastic bottles, bags, household waste, and discarded fishing gear, accumulating due to vessels disposing of waste. Pollution is evident in many areas of the island, compounded by the large volume of debris drifting in from the sea that has not yet been collected, leading to stagnation and delayed processing.

Recognizing the advantages for development alongside the environmental degradation risks posed by plastic waste, the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee issued Plan No. 4058/KH-UBND on September 6, 2019, aimed at reducing the use of and combating plastic waste in the province. The plan focuses on raising awareness about the pollution risks associated with plastic and plastic bags, minimizing the use of plastic products in government activities, and replacing them with environmentally friendly alternatives to help reduce plastic and bag pollution.

On November 27, 2020, the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee issued Directive No. 18/CT-UBND to strengthen the management, reuse, recycling, treatment, and reduction of plastic waste in the province. This directive outlines specific tasks and solutions for each agency, department, and organization to effectively minimize plastic waste.

Thus, alongside its economic development potential, the Con Co Island marine area faces numerous environmental challenges, especially regarding plastic waste. To assist managers in making informed decisions about environmental protection in the face of waste issues, particularly plastic, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment initiated the project “Survey and Assessment of Microplastic Levels and Their Influencing Factors at Con Co Island Marine Reserve.”

The main goal of the survey is to assess the current state, classify, and estimate microplastic levels in the Con Co Island Marine Reserve and propose solutions to control and reduce plastic waste in the region, contributing to the sustainable economic development of Con Co Island. It aims to develop communication materials about the status and impacts of marine debris by incorporating scientific information.

Information and materials will be disseminated to the public through mass media and public events, along with a communication plan to raise community awareness and change behavior. Methods and effective campaigns will be adjusted and applied to encourage behavioral change. Solutions and best practices will be shared to prevent and reduce litter both on land and at sea.

The scientific findings regarding the current status and impacts of marine debris will be integrated into policy advocacy strategies and programs. Engagement from youth, communities, and various governmental agencies will be encouraged in policy advocacy initiatives and activities aimed at combating marine debris.

The research results will provide the first scientific basis for understanding plastic waste pollution in the coastal waters of Central Vietnam, aiding environmental management efforts to protect coastal areas from the immediate impacts of plastic waste on local communities and tourists, as well as the long-term harm to marine ecosystems. These findings will assist the Con Co Island authorities in managing and addressing plastic waste reduction.

Additionally, the research will enhance capabilities in studying plastic waste pollution in the environment, paving the way for further investigation into coastal plastic waste using a pollution-driven approach. This includes assessing pollution pressures, current pollution status, and the impacts of plastic waste, as well as responses to plastic pollution.

In summary, plastic waste significantly impacts tourism, environmental aesthetics, and marine ecosystems. Reducing plastic waste will yield substantial benefits in protecting the landscape, promoting tourism, and safeguarding the habitat of the Con Co Island Marine Reserve and the surrounding waters of Quang Tri Province.

Con Co Island is located in a marine area with a diverse and rich ecosystem, covering approximately 9,000 km2. This region is home to both northern and southern species of the Gulf of Tonkin. A total of 224 offshore fish species have been recorded here out of 960 species distributed throughout the gulf, including high-value species such as grouper, tuna, crab, shrimp, squid, and lobster.

Additionally, the area hosts 113 species of hard coral, 56 species of seaweed, 46 species of finned animals, 20 species of crustaceans, 87 species of coral reef fish, plankton, and rare species such as dolphins, cheloniidae turtles, and dermochelyidae sea turtles. Con Co boasts a complete array of tropical marine ecosystems, featuring high biodiversity and remaining relatively intact compared to other Vietnamese waters. The coral reefs around Con Co are considered to be in excellent condition, with high coverage, diverse species composition, and still largely undisturbed.

In 2024, the Con Co Island District People’s Committee developed an action plan for managing plastic waste in the district, looking ahead to 2030. The goal is to raise awareness and improve solid waste management skills, reduce community and business plastic waste, and aim for a “Green Con Co Island free from plastic pollution” by 2030. The plan also seeks to gradually enhance the efficiency of solid waste management on the island, reducing the leakage of solid and plastic waste into the environment and the ocean.

Efforts are being made to strengthen activities for the recovery, recycling, and reuse of plastic waste, creating new lifecycles for ocean plastic waste. Notably, local authorities and the district government have collaborated to promote environmental protection through various effective and innovative models, such as planting and placing colorful bougainvillea pots along the main roads of the island, implementing a self-managed coastline model, and organizing beach cleanups.

Moreover, the district has launched an initiative to combat plastic waste, including signing agreements between the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Con Co Island, and tour operators on the island. The campaign also encourages residents and soldiers to collect plastic waste and clean the island, provides training on plastic waste prevention, and releases juvenile marine species to replenish the resources in Con Co Marine Protected Area.

Tan Nguyen - Ngoc Mai