Mono sector management – a conflict of benefits

Vietnam’s coastal and sea areas comprise of various types of natural resources such as seafood, oil and gas and marine ecology. All these natural resources are not used by a specific sector. Therefore, many economic sectors can explore the potential of the coastal and sea areas. For instance, the Ministry of Industry and Trade can explore the potential for oil and gas and build ports, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development can explore seafood, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports can tap into tourism with the beautiful natural landscapes, while the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment can make use of the land.

However, Vietnam’s coastal areas are managed under a mono-sector management mechanism. Hence, any sector’s operations may have an impact on another sectors’ benefits. Many sectors focus on exploring for potential, but do not pay due attention to environmental protection in line with zoning plans. This has caused a conflict amongst the sectors regarding the use of the natural resources in coastal and sea areas. As a result, there are rising concerns about the marine environment and the ineffective use of natural resources.

Nguyen Chu Hoi, Head of the Fisheries Economic and Planning Institute under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, attributes these problems to the inappropriate management of coastal areas, continental shelves and islands. Current management methods are not suitable for multi-sector usage, he added.

Another reason for these shortcomings is that Vietnam still lacks policies, laws and operational mechanisms between the different sectors and relevant agencies in exploring natural resources and protecting the marine environment, thus leading to conflicting of benefits.

Hence, Vietnam should have a multi-purpose management system. However, each sector has its own priorities to resolve the issue, Mr Hoi said, it is essential to apply a general management method on coastal areas.

General management of coastal areas is very necessary

The general management of the coastal and sea areas remains a new concept to Vietnam but this model of management was applied in the US in 1972. After a trial period, the US provided guidelines for the general management of coastal areas.

Experiences from a number of countries show that by taking an overall view of coastal areas optimizes the economic benefits. For instance, the coastal area, including 2,700 islands, running from Hai Phong to Mong Cai boasts great potential for economic development- an advantage that not all parts in the world have. Meanwhile, this natural resource is not being used properly and effectively. Each island has its own characteristics that need to be exploited in a proper manner so that we can optimize the benefits and preserve that potential in the long run.

A general management of the coastal areas will reduce clashes between the sectors during their development process. For example, the zoning plan for Van Phong Bay has caused problems for such sectors as tourism, maritime transport, industry and seafood. The crux of the matter is that an overall vision should be devised. The general management of coastal areas serves as a foundation for a consultancy committee to decide on inter-sector related issues and deal with conflicting interests nationally and internationally.

It is imperative to manage coastal areas and exploit marine resources effectively while ensuring environmental protection at both central and local level.

However, even though the centrally-run sectors will map out polices, local authorities will develop their own action plans. In order to manage the coastal areas, the coastal authorities should define the characteristics of each ecological area, cultural customs of each region so that they can help the communities to access marine-based sources of income in a reasonable and effective manner.

The general management of coastal areas at local level needs to be carried out in three areas, namely economics, society and the environment.

Earlier this year, the Government approved a project by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to manage the coastal areas with the participation of different ministries, sectors and localities. The project worth nearly VND2,000 billion will be carried out from 2008-2010.