Tho Chu Proposed Marine Protected Area
| Alternative site name(s) Cac Dao Tay Nam Bo Province(s) Kien Giang Area 22,400 ha Coordinates 9°17'N, 103°28'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
Tho Chu was first proposed as a marine protected area by Nguyen Huy Yet and Vo Si Tuan (1995), who listed it together with Nam Du 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 a marine protected area at Tho Chu, with a total area of 22,400 ha, comprising a terrestrial component of 1,190 ha and a marine component of 21,210 ha. The area is currently under the management of the armed forces (ADB 1999).
Topography and hydrology
The Tho Chu archipelago comprises a group of five islands and the surrounding marine waters. The largest island, Tho Chu, has a total area of 1,190 ha and a highest point of 167 m (Nguyen Huy Yet and Vo Si Tuan 1995). ADB (1999) propose that the marine protected area should also include the Cao Cat islands, two small islands located about 15 km to the north-east of the Tho Chu archipelago.
Biodiversity values
The forest on the islands is in a good condition, without any degradation. The terrestrial flora comprises at least 200 species, and is dominated by the Guttifereae, Fabaceae and Sapotaceae families. Coral reefs are common at the site, and are characterised by a high abundance but low diversity of coral species. A total of 99 coral species have been identified, and the dominant genera are Acropora and Montipora (ADB 1999). ADB (1999) report that the coastal beaches in the proposed marine protected area are favourable nesting sites for the globally threatened Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata and Green Turtle Chelonia mydas. In addition, the seagrass beds at the site are important for foraging marine turtles. In recent years, however, the incidence of nesting has reduced greatly, and very few nesting turtles have been recorded (N. Cox in litt. 2003).
Conservation issues
The islands and the surrounding marine ecosystem are reportedly well protected by military personnel stationed there (ADB 1999).
Other documented values
The islands have an important role in fisheries production. Economically important species recorded at the site include Pearl Oyster Pinctada margaritifera and the sea cucumbers Actinopyga echinites and Bohadschia graeffei (ADB 1999).
Related projects
The WWF Indochina Programme has supported monitoring of turtle nesting beaches by local communities since 2002.
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
The site 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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