Diving not recommended at Hon Mun sanctuary that was bleached

On August 21, speaking with Thanh Nien , Mr. Huynh Binh Thai, Head of Nha Trang Bay Management Board, said that the information about this board proposing to reopen the diving spot in Hon Mun area is incorrect.

Chưa có đề xuất cho lặn biển tại khu bảo tồn Hòn Mun - Ảnh 1. — Scuba diving in Nha Trang Bay

According to Mr. Thai, recently, the monitoring delegation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Khanh Hoa province supervised the restoration of Hon Mun marine reserve, after which some businesses proposed to reopen diving services.

However, whether or not to reopen diving services in this conservation area must be based on the results of assessments and surveys by scientists and specialized agencies. When the actual situation is suitable or well controlled, the board will have a proposal. "Currently, the board has not had any proposal documents with Nha Trang City on reopening diving services in the Hon Mun area," Mr. Thai affirmed.

Mr. Thai added that, according to the proposal of the enterprise, the board is currently researching to open a diving spot in front of Hon Mun - an area that has not been affected and can allow recreational activities, including diving. However, this is only a proposal and we still have to wait for opinions from the authorities to survey and evaluate before having a basis.

A year ago, the ecosystem and coral reefs at Hon Mun Marine Reserve, located in Nha Trang Bay, were severely damaged, with many areas bleached. The cause is believed to be both natural and human.

After that, Nha Trang Bay Management Board temporarily suspended swimming, diving, glass-bottom boats and rafts in the waters of Hon Mun Island from June 2022, and is still continuing to suspend. During this time, temporary diving will be arranged in the northeast area of Hon Rom with a limited number of visitors arranged by the Management Board.

Chưa có đề xuất cho lặn biển tại khu bảo tồn Hòn Mun - Ảnh 2. — Scuba diving is a very popular tourist activity in Nha Trang City.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Tac An, former Director of the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, said that coral reefs take millions of years to form. Once destroyed, it takes at least 5-6 years or more to partially recover and develop.

"Developing marine tourism must include diving and this activity will bring economic benefits to the locality. However, the authorities must have strict control and management measures to both preserve and promote the economic value that coral reefs bring," Mr. An advised.

Nha Trang Bay Marine Protected Area, Khanh Hoa Province includes islands such as: Hon Tre, Hon Mieu, Hon Tam, Hon Mot, Hon Mun, Hon Cau, Hon Vung... and surrounding waters.

Hon Mun with its coral reefs and diverse and rich marine ecosystem is the first and only marine reserve in Vietnam today, and has been assessed by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as the most marine biodiversity area in Vietnam, especially rich in coral, with about 350 species currently discovered.

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