The Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee announced on 3/12 the establishment of the Co To - Dao Tran marine protected area. The project spans a total area of over 18,400 hectares, with its core zone covering more than 13,200 hectares, encompassing strict protection, ecological restoration, and service-administration sub-zones.

This initiative aligns with the national biodiversity conservation strategy and blue marine economic development. It creates a vital foundation to promote ecotourism, scientific research, and sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

Coral in Co To sea. Photo: Xuan Duc

According to the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee, the protected area will safeguard and foster unique natural ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangrove forests, rocky intertidal zones, aquatic communities, and valuable marine species including: green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, loggerhead turtles, leatherback turtles, Chinese white dolphins, and finless porpoises.

Furthermore, the protected area will support scientific research, education, and the non-consumptive utilization of marine ecosystems and island landscapes for ecotourism, adventure tourism, and resort tourism.

Under the Fisheries Resource Protection and Exploitation Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, Quang Ninh will feature three marine protected areas: the Co To - Dao Tran Marine Protected Area, the Bai Tu Long Bay Marine Protected Area, and the Ha Long Bay Marine Protected Area.

Le Tan