15 environmental monitoring stations to be installed in ​​Ca Mau mangrove forest

The AQUAM project funded by the Australian Government's Aus4Innovation Program with the goal of installing mangrove environmental monitoring stations at key locations in Ca Mau province held a review workshop on August 16.

The AQUAM project is designed and implemented by the University of Queensland Australia and Dong Xanh Consulting Company in collaboration with the Southern Hau River Fisheries Research Sub-Institute and the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The project has successfully installed 15 wireless environmental monitoring stations utilizing the Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor the quality of water in mangrove areas.

The monitoring stations will help keep farmers and local governments updated on real-time information regarding water quality and respond promptly to hazards.

Regarding the success of the project, Ms. Kate Wallace, Acting Deputy Ambassador of Australia said: "This is a prime example of innovation helping to solve environmental challenges and improve people's lives".

The contributions of Ca Mau provincial government are indispensible in the project's activities. The stakeholders will cooperate and work towards the goal of sustainable development in the Mekong Delta region as well as the country in general.

Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee, said that the province always welcomes and fosters innovative and creative solutions to adapt to climate change and contribute to helping people have a stable life while still ensuring the preservation of the environment.

“The monitoring stations installed by the project can have a huge impact on the environment. There is also the potential to replicate this project model in other areas of the Mekong Delta region and provinces faced with similar environmental challenge. We hope there will be even closer cooperation between Vietnam and Australia to bring this initiative to a higher level", emphasized Mr. Su.

The AQUAM project is one of 12 projects funded by the cooperation component of the Aus4Innovation Program.

This Program component provides financial support to replicate tried-and-true science and technology initiatives and address challenges as well as capitalize on new opportunities in various sectors across Vietnam.

Funded projects under this program mainly focus on the fields of agriculture, food, health, disaster management and the environment.

Mangroves are one of the most important ecosystems in the world. They are also a valuable source of biodiversity for Ca Mau and other provinces in the Mekong Delta.

Due to their large capacity to store carbon and their secondary use as a shield against extreme weather conditions, mangroves play a central role in stabilizing climate conditions and protecting coastal communities.

In addition, aquaculture in mangroves is also widely acknowledged as a sustainable and high yielding production method that combines nature conservation and livelihood development.

However, aquaculture in mangroves is highly dependent on tidal currents. If the tidal water is polluted, lacks oxygen, becomes saline, or changes in salinity due to heavy rain and drought, it poses a risk to both aquatic species and mangroves.