Quang Ninh plans to establish an aquaculture zone in the Ha Long Bay buffer zone
The proposed aquaculture zone in the buffer area of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, is expected to span 260 hectares and will focus on farming fish, mollusks, and seaweed.
On November 27, the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee announced that it had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism for approval of the aquaculture zone, part of which will also be designated for tourism purposes.
The area identified for the aquaculture plan is located within the protection area 2 (buffer zone) of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The total area of the project is 260 hectares, divided into two main zones:
- Zone 1 (210 hectares) is positioned with the following boundaries: to the east, the Tuan Chau – Cat Ba channel; to the west, the Hoang Tan commune; to the south, the Ba Mom channel; and to the north, Tuan Chau Island.
- Zone 2 (50 hectares) is positioned with the following boundaries: to the east, Vung Ba Cua islet; to the west, Bo Hung islet; to the south, Tra Huong islet and the Lach Ngan channel; and to the north, the Ba Mom channel.
The species to be farmed include mollusks (such as scallops, pearls, square clams, and flower clams), marine fish (such as yellowtail, grouper, red snapper, and barracuda), and various types of seaweed in an integrated cultivation system.
The aquaculture facilities will be split into two areas: one for commercial farming and the other for demonstration purposes for tourists. Each aquaculture raft will have a minimum area of 300 square meters and will include operational offices, storage, sanitation, and secure walkways. The project is planned to be implemented from 2025 to 2030.
This aquaculture initiative in the Ha Long Bay buffer zone aims to align with the Prime Minister’s strategy for sustainable marine aquaculture development. It also seeks to provide long-term, stable livelihoods for local communities and contribute to the creation of new tourism products, such as community-based tourism, responsible tourism, and experiential tourism.
Quang Ninh Province has committed to ensuring strict environmental protection measures, including collecting and treating all waste and wastewater from the aquaculture zone at designated collection areas before transporting them for further treatment on land. These measures are designed to preserve the water quality of Ha Long Bay and its surrounding environment.
VFM
