Main objective: To manage and protect coastal coral reefs ecosystem in conjunction with the development of community-based ecotourism in Nhon Hai commune, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province; specifically,
o Raise awareness and build capacity for local authorities and local people in the management, protection and rational exploitation of coastal coral reefs in Nhon Hai commune;
o Construct a pilot model on community-based management, monitoring and protection of coral reefs in the area surrounding Hon Kho, Nhon Hai commune; and
o Construct a pilot model on ecotourism and fisheries cooperatives based on the principle of protecting the environment and natural landscape of coral reefs in order to develop community-based ecotourism, which contributes to creating employment opportunities and promoting gender equality in Nhon Hai commune.
Project activities
? Training and study tour, community advocacy to raise awareness and capacity of the local authorities and local fishermen on the protection and rational exploitation of coral reefs ecosystem in the coastal areas of Nhon Hai commune;
? Local authorities and community implement activities to manage and protect the coral reefs ecosystem: zoning protected areas of live coral reefs; periodically checking the coral reefs to assess and devise adequate protective measures; regularly patrolling to monitor and prevent activities detrimental to the coral reefs ecosystem;
? Establish regulations for managing tourism activities in Nhon Hai commune, ensure tourist safety and local neighborhood security, protect and rationally and sustainably exploit valuable natural, cultural and historical resources of the commune, increase income for local people;
? Pilot the model of ecotourism cooperatives and environmental services, protect and rationally exploit the natural landscape of coral reefs and local cultural and historical values, create employment opportunities and promote gender equality;
? Establish Community Support Fund for protecting coral reefs in Nhon Hai commune; and
? Summary ? documentation.
Expected results
? Advocacy products: 01 contest on coral reef protection for students; 01 crown-of-thorns starfish catching competition for fishermen; 1000 leaflets and 02 posters on protecting the coral reefs and the environment;
? Zoning of approximately 25ha coastal area of coral reefs for exploitation purpose, installing buoys and protection signage, community coordinating local authorities to effectively monitor and patrol;
? 01 Regulation on managing tourist activities in Nhon Hai commune is issued by the authority;
? Establishment of 01 cooperative providing community-based ecotourism and environmental services, with the capital contribution from 15-20 households including 5 tourist boats, 01 ecological restaurant, 01 singing club, 01 production and trading group of dried seafood products and handicrafts; increasing incomes for households participating in the cooperative from 10-20%; 30 people received vocational training (eco-tourism business and handicrafts, community-based tour guide);
? The Community Support Fund for protecting coral reefs in Nhon Hai commune is established and brought into operation; and
? Project Technical Documents are constructed to share experience and used in the planning and development plan in similar regions of the province.