Within the framework of the VB4E, from 2021 – 2022, Cat Ba National Park and IUCN have implemented the program “Coral reefs monitoring in Cat Ba National Park to propose effective management and conservation measures” sponsored by TH Food Chain JSC (THFC).

After 2 years of implementing the coral reef monitoring program at 03 area: Gio Cung, Van Ta and Ba Dinh, the results showed that coral reefs health is at medium level, the average coverage is on slow rise with positive growth. Coral reef species in some areas are at a low biodiversity with no changes for two years. 

Indicator species have very low presence, especially fish although large size sea urchins are common in almost areas. Coral bleaching appears in Pocilloporidae. Some major impacts for coral reef ecosystems are made by aquaculture, fisheries, tourism and marine litter.

Through the coral reef monitoring, Cat Ba National Park (NP) has proposed a number of measures to effectively conserve coral in this area from macro to micro such as: establishing Cat Ba MPA, monitoring closely marine ecosystems and marine resources; develop an artificial coral breeding model to serve the regeneration and revival of declining corals; continue monitoring activities; set up a protective zoning system with warnings.

In 2023, through VB4E, THFC discussed with Cat Ba National Park on proposed coral conservation measures and agreed to support in establishing a mooring buoys system to protect the coral reef ecosystem. In September 2023, Cat Ba National Park anchored the phase 1 of buoys in the Van Ta and Ba Dinh areas. In the near future, the remaining buoys will continue to be released in the Gio Cung area.

The mooring buoys will be handed over to local Forest Ranger stations in Cat Ba National Park for management and protection. Local Forest Ranger officers will patrol and control in buoyed 04 times/month and report monthly. The number of mooring buoys will be maintained once a year, including cleaning of oysters, barnacles and parasitic organisms and repaint the rope and system; replace and reinstall the wire and the system in the correct numerical order.

Setting up an mooring buoy system will warn ships not to anchor in coral-protecting ecological areas and directly to the seabed, in order to protect the coral reef ecosystem and other marine life within the area. Fishing facilities and tourism services determine the boundaries of the coral-protecting ecological areas in Cat Ba National Park.

In addition, the mooring buoy system also helps identify coral reefs division areas in Cat Ba National Park, supporting the management, protection and conservation of marine biodiversity. Therefore, create favourable conditions for patrol, examine and handle law violations related to marine conservation of Cat Ba National Park. Also, limit illegal fishing to the lowest in coral-protecting ecological areas.