Planning the network of community-based aquatic reserves in
Tam Giang- Cau Hai lagoon system

Thua Thien Hue Fishery Association (HUEFIS)


Tam Giang- Cau Hai Lagoon network is the overlapping area between the fresh water in the rivers from upstream forest and the brackish water leading to the sea. This feature has provided the area with rich aquatic resources, making it a good sanctuary for various types of migrating birds, as well as creating a diversity in aquatic animals and plants. The rich natural resources are not only important to the local livelihood but also to the biodiversity in Central Coastal region of Vietnam.

According to the feasibility study for the building of the wetland reserve of Tam Giang - Cau Hai (Department of Science and Technology, 1998), the aquatic system in Tam Giang Lagoon is rich and diverse, with 230 types of fishes, 46 species of zoobenthos, 66 species of zooplanktons, 31 species of advanced aquatic plants, 18 species of aquatic grass, 100 types of seaweeds, 221 types of planktons, and 73 species of local and migrating birds.

However, due to the population pressure and the increasing exploitation of the resources, the biodiversity and the ecological functions have seriously degraded. The population of migrating birds has remarkably decreased. The area of grassland and the diversity of fishes and other aquatic plants and animals has also declined. A number of endemic species and the breeding grounds for the aquatic species are in danger of extinction due to encroachment and destructive exploitation. Therefore, the building of the wetland reserve has received the support of international, national and local offices and organisations. From 1997 to 1999, Thua Thien Hue Department of Science, Technology and Environment built a project for the recognition of Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon system as a wetland reserve of international importance (Ramsar Site). The pre-feasibility study of the project for the establishment of a wetland reserve was conducted in 2003. In 2004 the project of coastal zone management (VNICZM) in Thua Thien Hue conducted various activities in establishing a wetland reserve in O Lau and in Quang Dien District (2004), 60 ha of rice land in O Lau area was taken for the planning of a wetland reserve. In 2007, the project of ?Assistance to the Implementation of the National Support Program for the Wetland" helped to build the project of "Building O Lau Wetland Reserve in Co-management Method", further specified the recommendations mentioned in Thua Thien Hue project of "Coastal Zone Management in the Establishment of a Wetland Reserve". The above mentioned efforts show that the preservation of the wetland resources in Tam Giang -Cau Hai Lagoon system is very urgent.
Despite the many attempts in this issue, the preservation of Tam Giang -Cau Hai Lagoon system still have to face with many challenges. Up to now (2009), neither a wetland reserve nor the breeding stock grounds was effectively protected and preserved. This situation is caused by various reasons (1) The fishing community in the lagoon consists mostly of poor households who live mainly on aquatic resources therefore there is an increasing exploitation density and exploitation capacity in proportion with the population increase. Especially, since the areas planned for the preservation are rich in natural resources, the rate of exploitation in these areas is very high. In addition, fishermen also use mobile fishing nets of small holes and destructive fishing methods; (2) The recommendations for natural reserves and the preservation methods are not suitable with the local capacity. Projects for the establishment of the reserve are often of relatively big scale, with the preservation done by the government while the financial and human resources in the locality are very limited. (3) Though the projects for the reserve highlight the mobilization of the community participation but no suitable methods are used. Especially, the strategies to share the benefits are not properly mentioned in the projects; therefore, the community have not realized the benefits they may have or they have not benefited from the preservation activities so they have little motivation to participate in the project.

Since the end of 2009, with the recommendation from the office of exploitation and preservation of aquatic resources, Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee decided to establish a pilot small-scaled community-based Aquatic Reserve in Con Chim- Vinh Phu. This is an effort in the preservation of the decreasing aquatic resources and the biodiversity in the lagoon. Also, the combination of preservation strategies and socialisation of management can mobilise the resources in the society to help the government in the preservation talk. The decision to establish the aquatic reserves is not the final result but it is considered a starting point which is a premise for the development of the ecological preservation, protection and restoration activities.

Solutions for the problems

The project will solve the problems by inheriting from the results of previous projects and it will focus on those problems which were not mentioned or effectively solved. In this way, the lagoon area needs to be preserved and built into "smaller zones" of smaller scales for easier preservation (called aquatic reserves) and the selected targets (aquatic breeding grounds) are not only suitable to the community capacity, but also to the combination of both preservation and livelihood improvement. The results of the previous programs will be used by CCRD in designing, planning and implementing the preservation activities which include survey results about aquatic species, dsitribution of breeding stock and breeding grounds. Both general and detailed materials of breeding grounds from different organisations and individuals will be studied and used for detailed planning of small reserves where resources management is combined with community livelihood management. Solutions to problems in previous preservation recommendations and changes in the application of community based methods will be improved to increase the feasibility of the model.

The establishment of a network of aquatic reserves or "small zones" of breeding stock grounds will promote the application of community-based method in the manaegement of aquatic resources in the lagoon system. In the context of climate change and exhaustion of aquatic resources, the model of community-based preservation of aquatic breeding stock grounds, combined with livelihood improvement will provide effective management and preservation methods. Not only can these methods adapt well to the environment thanks to the small scale, but they also create a harmony between exploitation and preservation, in addition to mobilising the human capacity. Above all, the implementation of this model will realise the preservation activities after many attempts and recommendations.

o Community capacity will be improved and increased via the establishment of Fishery Associations. These associations will be supported in implementing activities, such as evaluating resources, building a detailed planning, formulating management regulations, as well as organizing activities of protection and preservation via on- site courses.

o Breeding stock reserves will be established on the basis of surveys and planning of breeding stock grounds conducted by related local organizations and offices. Application of participatory methods will be adopted to update the planning of "small-scaled reserve zones" into "small-scaled areas" that are suitable to such preservation activities as areas of mangrove trees, seaweed, aquatic plants, etc. This planning is suitable to the community capacity, creating favorable conditions for the community and local organizations to organize and monitor the implementation. This can also be convenient for the community in banning exploitation activities and combining preservation and production of specific activities of aquatic products.

o The mechanism of having the community responsible for the protection and preservation of breeding stock grounds, combined with their livelihood improvement will be established and institutionalized via the approval and appraisal of responsible organizations and authorities. This mechanism includes regulations about exploitation activities and beneficiaries in the lagoon around the breeding stock reserve. The approval from the authorities will increase the legal status of the community in implementing the protection activities.


The project of "Planning the Network of Community-based Aquatic
Reserves in Tam Giang- Cau Hai Lagoon System" is mainly aimed to promote
the establishment and operation of community-based aquatic reserves, with the
community entrusted with the task of preserving the biodiversity and aquatic
resources in identified local areas of priority. Key contents of the project
include:

1. To update and supplement the information about community-based aquatic reserves to facilitate the approval process from the authorities.
2. To support the planning activities and encourage the establishment of six aquatic reserves in the network, and to provide recommendations to the authorities (Provincial People's Committee).
3. To enhance the cooperation and sharing activities among community-based aquatic reserves via the establishment and development of the network of community-based aquatic reserves, with the participation of authorities at grass root levels and of the fishery association of 8 reserves, scientific and state management organizations at district and provincial levels.
4. To build the capacity for the local government at grassroot level and fishery associations in the management of community-based aquatic reserves.
5. To improve the awareness and understanding of the community about the community-based aquatic reserves.
Project long-term objectives
The project is aimed to contribute to the establishment of a network of community-based aquatic reserves in Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon system to restore the breeding stock grounds, preserve the biodiversity and develop sustainable aquatic production activities.
Short-term objectives, expected results and project activities
Objective 1: To update and supplement the plan to develop the network of
community-based aquatic reserves for the restoration of the
breeding stock grounds and preservation of biodiversity and
sustainable aquatic development in Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon
system.
The updated and supplementary contents include (1) recommendations for the planning of network of aquatic reserves; (2) the establishment of a mechanism for mobilization of resources in the reserves; (3) the establishment of a community-based management in the aquatic reserves, and (4) the plan to complete the network of local fishery associations for the management of aquatic reserves.

Result 1.1: The recommendations to develop the network of aquatic reserves in Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon system updated and supplemented with the mobilization of resources of the reserve and the community-based management in aquatic reserves will be agreed on by the local authorities and the Department of the Agriculture and Rural Development before being sent to the Provincial People's Committee for approval.

Result 1.2: The network of local fishery associations will be improved to match the development of the network of aquatic reserves. These fishery associations are committed to the management of aquatic reserves.

Objective 2: To enhance the awareness of and capacity in planning and building the plan for the development of community-based aquatic reserves for the fishery associations, local staff and authorities of different levels.

Results 2.1: The capacity in planning and building preservation plans, the knowledge and technical skills or preserving the aquatic breeding stock grounds, as well as sustainable aquatic management skills of the local staff and those staff in related offices, organisations and fishery associations are improved.

Result 2.2: The awareness and participation of the fishermen and the fishery associations, as well as the capacity to organise community-based preservation activities are enhanced.

Objective 3: To give support to the planning and establishment of 6 aquatic reserves in the network and to make recommendations for the authorities (Provincial People's Committee) (UBND T?nh) to entrust the management responsibilities to the fishery associations.

As planned, the network in the Lagoon system includes eight aquatic reserves. So far (July 2010), two of them have been established. The Project will plan and promote the establishment of another six reserves. Simultanously, the paperwork will be completed to be sent to the Provincial People's Committee for approval and the management responsibilities will be given to the fishery associations.

Result 3.1: To update, to evaluate the resources and to complete the paperwork for the planning of the six aquatic reserves identified in the plan for the development of a aquatic reserves network (as planned, eight reserves in total and two of which have been planned) and the management responsibilities will be given to the fishery associations and exploitation activities will be discontinued in the six planned aquatic reserves.