On May 31, 2022, IUCN (International Union for Nature Conservation) and Binh Dinh Fisheries Department in association with Avani Resort in Quy Nhon city organised a training workshop on conserving sea turtles and their habitat. Participants include representatives from the fishery resources protection community groups of Quy Nhon Bay, Quy Nhon City People’s Committee, Provincial Fisheries Association, etc as well as tourist businesses.

In addition to providing participants with basic knowledge on sea turtles conservation, the training also discussed other environmental issues such as waste management especially plastic waste. At the workshop, IUCN introduced VB4E platform and new project ideas to mobilize business participation.

The issues of waste littering in the ocean by the local residents and beach encroachment by food businesses at Bãi Xép, Ghềnh Ráng distressed tourist businesses as this is an attractive tourist area with high-end resorts for potential domestic and foreign visitors.

Overall, in order to keep up with the “Clean tourism city” award by Asian, the local authorities need to take stronger measures and regularly address environmental issues at the city’s tourist destinations along with the environmental compliance of tourist businesses.

The workshop also reached the initial consensus of some businesses and community groups to conserve marine turtles and the environment. Taking the lead in the process is Avani Resort which signed an agreement with Binh Dinh Fisheries Sub-Department to coordinate and support marine turtle conservation in Quy Nhon Province.