The People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province has approved the pilot of scuba diving tourism in four areas of Nha Trang Bay after a two-year closure.
Tourists diving at Hon Mun Island in 2019 – a time before diving regulations were banned. Photo: @pascalbarriault.
Regarding the plan to pilot scuba diving in Nha Trang Bay, in a discussion with Tri Thuc – Znews on the afternoon of June 13, Mr. Dam Hai Van, Deputy Head of the Nha Trang Bay Management Board (BQL), stated that after receiving approval from the People’s Committee of the province, the unit is continuing to revise and supplement the plan for organizing recreational scuba diving in Nha Trang Bay.
“We need to seek additional opinions from relevant agencies and departments, including the Ministry of National Defense,” Mr. Van said.
The four suitable areas for scuba diving activities are the northern side of Hon Rua Island in Vinh Hoa ward; the area for releasing artificial reefs in Vinh Hoa ward; the northeastern side of Tri Nguyen Island in Vinh Nguyen ward; and the waters bordering Bai Tranh and Bai Soi (east of Tri Nguyen Island).
The Nha Trang Bay Management Board assesses that the coral reef system and ecosystems in these four areas are quite rich and diverse. The implementation of diving activities will not affect maritime traffic or the transportation of tourists to the islands during the exploitation process.
Previously, during a meeting with relevant departments about the plan to pilot some areas for recreational scuba diving in Nha Trang Bay on June 12, Mr. Dinh Van Thieu, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province, emphasized that the Nha Trang Bay Management Board needs to note several important points:
- Thoroughly research inspection and supervision work.
- Develop criteria for selecting companies to organize scuba diving.
- Strictly handle units organizing illegal diving activities.
- Continue the plan to restore Nha Trang Bay.
Nha Trang Bay covers nearly 250 square kilometers. It is one of the 16 marine protected areas in the country.
However, the coral reef system in some areas of the bay, such as Hon Mun, has been severely damaged, leading to the suspension of swimming, diving, glass-bottom boat, and basket boat activities since June 2022.
Close-up of a bleached coral cluster on Hon Mun island due to storm No. 9 in December 2021. Photo: Management Board.
In a discussion with Tri Thuc – Znews about the condition of the coral reefs on Hon Mun Island earlier, Mr. Huynh Binh Thai, Head of the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, stated that the coral reef ecosystem on the western side of Hon Mun (affected by Typhoon No. 9 in December 2021) and northern Hon Mun is in the process of recovering. Coral coverage ranges from 30-50%.
However, the growth rate is slow due to the biological characteristics of the hard coral species that form reefs, which increase by only about 1 cm per year.
Mr. Thai added that tourism activities on Hon Mun Island still cannot be reopened in 2024
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Source: Vietnam Insider