Marine environment pollution will be controlled by 2030

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is gathering pubic opinions on the draft Resolution of the Government approving the Strategy for exploitation and sustainable use of natural resources and environmental protection of sea and islands by 2030 with the vision by 2045.

The draft sets a target that by 2030: Sea and island resources will be exploited and used sustainably and fairly in service of the development of marine economic sectors, improvement of community life and livelihoods, conservation and promote the value of marine cultural heritage, respond to and adapt to climate change and sea level rise, ensure national defense and security, protect sovereignty, sovereign rights, and national jurisdiction at sea and islands.

Marine environment pollution is controlled, prevented and minimized; sources causing pollution from land and sea, transboundary pollution issues, marine environmental incidents, ocean plastic waste pollution and invasive alien species are monitored, controlled and managed effectively. The capacity to forecast of natural disasters, climate change and impacts of sea level rise will be enhanced, reaching a level on par with advanced countries in the region.

The draft also sets a vision that by 2045: Sea and island resources are exploited and used sustainably for the development of marine economy, circular economy, low carbon, society in harmony with nature in order to make an important contribution to making Vietnam a strong maritime nation, sustainable development, prosperity, security, safety, active and responsible participation in solving international and regional issues on seas and oceans.

The draft Resolution of the Government approving the Strategy for exploitation and sustainable use of natural resources and environmental protection of sea and islands also prioritizes arrangement of marine space for eco-tourism and aquaculture.

The draft clearly states the tasks and orientations of the Strategy. Accordingly, an important directional task is the sustainable exploitation and use of marine and island resources. Specifically, for the zoning of marine space for the purposes of exploiting and using marine and island resources, priority is to be given to the arrangement of marine space for activities of the following sectors:

Develop eco-tourism, scientific exploration, community tourism; cultural tourism; tourism to islands and offshore seas; search and explore for minerals, oil and gas, non-conventional hydrocarbon forms in deep-water sedimentary basins far from the shore; develop marine aquaculture, offshore fishing, conserve aquatic resources; develop industrial parks and economic zones with hi-tech industries, foundation technology, source technology, etc.

For the task of conserving biodiversity and marine and island resources: Protect and maintain the existing system of protected areas; investigate, survey and evaluate proposals for the establishment of new conservation zones on seas, coasts and islands; strengthen the conservation of biodiversity outside the protected area; strictly control the exploitation, breeding and cross-border trade of wild marine species on the conservation list.

For the task of response to climate change and sea level rise: Improve the endurance and resilience of natural and social systems against the negative impacts of climate change; monitor the impacts of climate change on areas on the sea and coastal areas; plan and develop infrastructure, rearrange of residential areas in areas frequently affected by natural disasters; consolidate and build new large urban water supply and drainage works; prevent erosion of riverbanks and coasts; deploy structural and non-structural solutions to cope with drought and saltwater intrusion.

The draft specifies solutions for implementation, including: 1. Strengthen the leadership and direction of authorities at all levels from the central to local levels and strongly promote the protection of marine and island environment; 2. Perfect the legal system on natural resources management and environmental protection of sea and islands; 3. Develop science and technology sectors; 4. Actively strengthen and expand international cooperation in management and research on resources and environment of sea and islands; 5. Strengthen education, training and development of human resources for the marine sector; 6. Build a sustainable financial mechanism for the sustainable exploitation and use of marine and island resources.