The International Union for Conservation of Nature in Vietnam is about to support Kiên Giang to sustainably manage and exploit undulated surf clams in the offshore area.

The Kiên Giang provincial department of Agriculture and Rural development has just associated with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Vietnam) to carry out a meeting related to the sustainable management and exploitation of undulated surf clams in the offshore area.

For sustainable exploitation of undulated surf clams, Kiên Giang provincial department of Agriculture and Rural development assigned the sub-department to develop “A model of co-management in protecting undulated surf clam resources” in Sơn Hải commune of Kiên Lương district on a 500ha land, funded over 925 million dong.

Accordingly, the local authority will be supported to establish a model of co-management in protecting undulated surf clam resources. The community will be provided with training courses of monitoring and supervising the fisheries. Local organizations will be enhanced their qualifications and assigned to manage the undulated surf clam resource along Kiên Giang coastal areas for sustainable exploitation and protection.

The model of co-management in protecting aquatic resources will be multiplied around the province.

During the meeting, Chu Thế Cường, a representative of IUCN Vietnam introduced the project of “Protect the coastal ecosystem in the Mekong Delta – MDC”. The project involves to support Kiên Giang to experimentally figure out potential areas so as to establish an aquatic resource protection area in three islands Nam Du, Bà Lụa and Hải Tặc.

The three islands will be supported to exploit and culture seafood for responsibility and sustainability assurance. A survey should be carried out to evaluate the community awareness related to responsible conservation, biodiversity, environment protection and use of aquatic resources.

Management agencies, fishery communities and relevant parties should enhance their qualifications to effectively operate the aquatic resource protection area.

A policy of conservation and development of aquatic resources, environment protection, sustainable exploitation and aquaculture must be finalized.

VFM