Cu Lao Cham marine reserve was recently established around Cham island off the central province of Quang Nam in Vietnam, with assistance from Denmark.
The marine park is the second marine reserve under the Vietnam’s project to develop a network of 15 marine parks nationwide, with financial help of US$2.7 million from the Danish International Development Agency (Danida).
Cu Lao Cham marine reserve includes eight islands and 5,175ha of water surface. The marine park boasts 165 coral reefs, around 500ha of seaweed and seagrass, and various sea creatures.
Scientists have recently found 135 coral species, including the six species discovered in Vietnam’s waters for the first time, 202 fish species, four species of lobster, and 84 reptile species on Cu Lao Cham.
The country’s first sea park under the project is the Hon Mun marine reserve, which was set up in 2000 in Khanh Hoa province with funding and assistance from Danida, the World Bank, and the World Conservation Union. The park covers 12,100 ha of sea and several islands, and is home to 173 coral species and 176 fish species.
