Nam Du Proposed Marine Protected Area
| Alternative site name(s) Cac Dao Tay Nam Bo Province(s) Kien Giang Area 10,400 ha Coordinates 9°38' - 9°44'N, 104°20' - 104°25'E Agro-ecological zone Mekong Delta Decreed by government No Management board established No |
Investment plan prepared No VCF eligibility criteria met None Social screening criteria met None Conservation needs assessment prepared No Operational management plan prepared No Tracking tool completed No Yes |
Management history
Nam Du was first proposed as a marine protected area by Nguyen Huy Yet and Vo Si Tuan (1995), who listed it, together with Tho Chu and Phu Quoc islands, as Cac Dao Tay Nam Bo [islands off south-western Vietnam] proposed marine protected area. Subsequently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB 1999) proposed establishing Nam Du Marine Protected Area, with a total area of 10,400 ha, comprising a terrestrial component of 1,100 ha and a marine component of 9,300 ha.
Topography and hydrology
Nam Du is an archipelago of 21 islands in Kien Hai district, Kien Giang province. The islands cover a total land area of 1,150 ha, and the highest point is 395 m on Nam Du, the largest island (Nguyen Huy Yet and Vo Si Tuan 1995). Close to the islands, the depth of the sea bed is less than 10 m, however, most of the marine component is greater than 10 m deep.
Biodiversity values
Coral reefs cover around 40% of the shallow waters in the proposed marine protected area. These coral reefs are in a good condition. A total of 133 species of hard corals have been recorded at the site, with a dominance of Acropora and Turbinaria. The globally threatened Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata and Green Turtle Chelonia mydas used to nest at the site but there have been no nestings in recent years (ADB 1999).
Conservation issues
The abundance of certain marine products, such as abalone Haliotis spp. and cone shell Trochus nilotichus, at the site have declined in recent years, indicating that they are being unsustainably exploited. No local government body has clear management responsibility for the marine resources and environment at Nam Du, and the islands' residents have received no conservation education (ADB 1999).
Other documented values
The waters around the Nam Du archipelago are considered to be among the best fishing grounds off south-western Vietnam. The area is an important stocking ground, not only for local fisheries but for the wider area. The most important marine resources in the area are cuttlefish and squid (ADB 1999).
Related projects
No information.
Conservation needs assessment
A conservation needs assessment has not been conducted for the site.
Operational management plan
An operational management plan has not been prepared for the site.
Eligibility against VCF criteria
Nam Du is ineligible for VCF support because it is not a Special-use Forest.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| AI |
|
| AII |
|
| BI |
|
| BII |
|
| BIII |
|
| CI |
|
| CII |
Social screening requirements
A social screening report has not been prepared for the site.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| A |
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| D |
Literature sources
ADB (1999) Draft coastal and marine protected areas plan. Hanoi: Asian Development Bank.
Nguyen Huy Yet and Vo Si Tuan (1995) [Information on proposed marine protected areas on the coast of Vietnam]. Hai Phong: Hai Phong Institute of Oceanography. In Vietnamese.
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