Vietnam Quang Ninh Pilots USAID Project to Link Aquaculture with Tourism

Authorities in Vietnam’s northern province of Quang Ninh has selected Cua Van fishing village in Hung Thang commune of Ha Long city to be the location for a pilot project of the “Ha Long – Cat Ba Alliance” that receives funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Cua Van fishing village will work with the Center for Marine Life Conservation and Community Development (MCD) to be developed into a joint fish farming and tourist destination. Particularly, the project will help local residents involved in aquaculture conduct good environmental practices, build the evidence base for empowerment of local actors for greater participation in environmental protection, and prepare local non-governmental organizations to more deeply engage in environmental issues. The village has 176 households with a population of 750, most of whom live on fishing and still retain their traditional culture and ancient fishing equipment and method. The province plans to pilot the Alliance program on the Dong Duong (Indochina) Cruise before expanding the model wider. The Ha Long Bay World Heritage Site and Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve are two of Vietnam’s most economically and ecologically important areas, renowned for their scenic beauty and biological importance. The Ha Long – Cat Ba Alliance, funded with $691,228 from the USAID, is being implemented from early 2015 to June 2017. (baochinhphu.vn July 20, Phap Luat Vietnam – Vietnam Law July 21 p2)