MoNRE finalises first report on maritime environment and national islands

The report was the first of its kind to be launched following the 2015 Law on Natural Resources, and Environment of Sea and Islands coming into effect and provides assessments on current issues relating to the maritime environment and national islands during the reviewed period. This therefore serves as a foundation in which to find solutions to prevent pollution whilst gradually improve the situation, thereby ensuring sustainable development moving forward. 

The review has been compiled based on the DPSIR (drivers, pressures, state, impact and response model of intervention) framework, a causal one used to describe the various interactions between society and the environment.

Its six chapters provide an insight into the pressure of socio-economic development on Vietnamese seas and islands, the impact of maritime environmental pollution, as well as the State management of seas and islands, and chances and challenges in relation to protection work. 

According to the report, a total of 74% of solid waste of coastal localities was collected in 2019, while the volume of daily wastewater in urban areas amounted to 163 million cu.m. Most notably, up to 70% of tourist destinations across the country are located in coastal regions.

Waste from aquaculture and tourism activities tends to cause environmental pollution in some coastal areas. Furthermore, the increase of plastic waste in the ocean over recent years has become a global issue, placing huge pressure on marine debris management in the nation. 

Meanwhile, the release of untreated wastewater, climate change, and rising sea levels has caused major damage to the economy and people’s livelihoods, along with threatening biodiversity and local sea creatures.

To date, approximately 100 marine creatures have been listed as endangered species in the country’s Red Data Book and the International Union of Conservation of Nature, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.