Quyết định 742/QD-TTG

DECISION

APPROVING THE PLAN ON THE SYSTEM OF VIETNAM'S MARINE CONSERVATION ZONES THROUGH 2020

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the December 25, 2001 Law on Organization of the Government;
Pursuant to the November 26, 2003 Fisheries Law;
At the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,

DECIDES:

Article 1. To approve the Plan on the system of Vietnam's marine conservation zones through 2020, with the following principal contents:

I. VIEWPOINTS

1. To plan the system of marine conservation /ones aiming to protect and conserve aquatic resources, protect marine eco-environment, serve the sustainable development of the fisheries sector and importantly contribute to the protection of marine eco-environment.

2. To regard construction and development of marine conservation zones as an urgent and long-term task of all branches and authorities as well as the responsibility and interest of coastal and island communities.

3. To step by step diversify forms of investment to encourage and attract domestic and foreign investors, scientists and international organizations and. at the same time, promote the participation of coastal and island communities so as to ensure sustainable and effective management of marine conservation zones.

II. OBJECTIVES

1. General objectives

To build a system of marine conservation zones aiming to protect ecosystems and marine species of economic and scientific value; contribute to developing the marine economy and improving the livelihood of fishing communities in coastal localities.

2. Specific objectives

a/ During 2010-2015:

- To build and put into commission 16 marine conservation zones.

- By 2015. at least 0.24% of Vietnam's sea areas will belong to marine conservation zones while about 30% of the area of each zone will be strictly protected.

(The list of 16 conservation zones is provided in Appendix I to this Circular).

b/ During 2016-2020:

- To study and propose a plan on the expansion of the system of marine conservation /ones.

- To conduct surveys so as to establish and operate some new marine conservation zones.

III. PLANNING SCOPE AND DURATION

1. The system of marine conservation zones will be planned and built in Vietnam's sea areas and islands.

2. Planning duration: 2010-2020.

IV. PLANNING TASKS

1. During 2010-2015:

- To finalize the plan on the system of Vietnam's marine conservation zones for submission to the Prime Minister for approval.

- To elaborate detailed plans and compile dossiers on the establishment and operation of 1 1 conservation zones for submission to competent authorities.

- To revise and adjust detailed plans on 5 existing marine conservation zones: Nha Trang bay. Cham islet. Phu Quoc. Con Co and Nui Chua islands.

- To develop a database of the system of Vietnam's marine conservation zones.

- To study and promulgate policies and legal documents related to the management of marine conservation zones.

- To improve the qualification of marine conservation staffs from the central to local levels: to train cadres and communities in localities where exist marine conservation zones in relevant basic knowledge.

2. During 2016-2020:

- To study, survey and propose a plan on the expansion of the system of Vietnam's marine conservation zones.

- To elaborate detailed plans and compile dossiers on the establishment and operation of some new conservation zones for submission to competent authorities.

- To supervise changes in marine resources, bio-diversity and ecosystems in each established marine conservation zone.

- To develop the model of community-based management under which local communities and domestic and overseas organizations and individuals jointly establish and manage marine conservation zones, so as to effectively exploit these zones and create a livelihood for local communities while contributing to the protection of the eco-environment.

3. Prioritized projects are specified in Appendix II to this Circular.

V. PRINCIPAL SOLUTIONS

1. To study and formulate mechanisms and policies to encourage and attract organizations and individuals, especially local communities, to invest in the establishment and management of marine conservation zones; to study policies allowing local communities that manage marine conservation zones to enjoy benefits through the provision of aquatic resources and marine eco-environment protection services so as to encourage the participation of local communities and assure sustainable and effective development. To continue studying and elaborating regulations on the allocation of coastal seawater areas to local administrations and communities for management.

2. To enhance communication about the interests and responsibilities of the society, especially communities living in and around marine conservation zones, related to the establishment of marine conservation zones. To build up and expand models of community-based management in the protection of aquatic resources in and around marine conservation zones. To train marine conservation staffs with high managerial and professional qualifications from the central to local levels.

3. To elaborate and effectively implement schemes and projects on scientific surveys and research which will serve as a basis for proposing the expansion of marine conservation zones and identifying specific protection measures for each zone

4. To promote international cooperation so as to attract financial and technical assistance and support in scientific surveys and research and staff training. To increase the exchange of information and coordination with regional countries and international organizations in the establishment of trans-national marine conservation zones.

5. Regarding investment mechanisms

In the immediate future, investment capital for the establishment of marine conservation zones will be allocated mainly from the state budget. After completing the establishment of several state-run marine conservation zones, it is necessary to study and adopt mechanisms and policies to diversify forms of investment, encourage and attract domestic and overseas investors, scientists and international organizations and promote the participation of coastal and island fishing communities in the development and sustainable management of marine conservation zones.

a/ Central budget funds will be allocated for the following jobs: elaborating master plans and detailed plans of marine conservation zones: building essential infrastructure facilities and supporting the operation of management boards of marine conservation of national or international importance or inter-provincial scope which are set up under the Prime Minister's decisions; and implementing mechanisms and policies on changing trades and generating incomes for communities living in or around marine conservation zones.

b/ Local budgets will be spent on the following jobs: formulating and implementing projects on the construction of essential infrastructure facilities and supporting the operation of management boards of locally run marine conservation zones as decentralized: implementing mechanisms and policies on changing trades and generating incomes for communities living in or around marine conservation zones.

c/ Funds raised from domestic and overseas organizations and individuals will be used for the following jobs: formulating investment projects on the construction of infrastructure work and funding the operation of management boards of marine conservation zones set up under projects approved by competent authorities; and funding the construction and management of marine conservation zones under law.

6. Investment capital demand

The total investment capital is estimated at VND 460 billion (four hundred and sixty billion dong). of which:

a/ For the 2011 -2015 period: about VND 300 billion, from:

- Central budget capital: VND 185 billion

- Local budget capital: VND 90 billion

- Assistance from international and non­governmental organizations: VND 25 billion

b/ For the 2016-2020 period: about VND 160 billion, from:

- Central budget capital: VND 145 billion

- Assistance from international and non-governmental organizations: VND 15 billion.

VI. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall:

- Assume the prime responsibility for. and coordinate with concerned ministries, branches and localities in. implementing this Plan.

- Direct and guide localities to elaborate and submit plans of marine conservation zones in their localities to competent authorities for approval.

- Build and manage marine conservation zones of national and international importance and inter-provincial conservation zones which are set up under the Prime Minister's decisions.

2. People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities shall:

- Direct functional agencies to elaborate and submit to competent authorities plans on the establishment and management of marine conservation zones as decentralized; guide organizations and individuals in formulating projects to establish and manage marine conservation zones under regulations.

- Coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and concerned agencies in organizing communication and education about the interests brought about by. and responsibilities for. the protection and management of marine conservation zones; increase the inspection of the observation of laws on aquatic resources protection and development and biodiversity conservation; and design models of community-based management of marine conservation zones.

- Allocate local budget funds and adopt specific mechanisms and policies suitable to their local conditions to encourage all economic sectors to invest in building and effectively exploiting and managing marine conservation zones in their localities.

3. Concerned ministries and branches:

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance shall, based on this Plan, allocate investment capital for specific projects so that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and concerned localities can successfully implement this Plan.

- Concerned ministries and localities shall participate in and facilitate the establishment and management of the system of marine conservation zones.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect on the date of its signing.

Article 3. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies and chairpersons of People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities shall implement this Decision.

APPENDIX I

LIST OF VIETNAM'S MARINE CONSERVATION ZONES THROUGH 2015
(To the Prime Minister's Decision No. 742/QD-TTg of May 26, 2010)

APPENDIX II

LIST OF TASKS-PROJECTS TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN ON THE SYSTEM OF VIETNAM'S MARINE CONSERVATION ZONES THROUGH 2020
(To the Prime Minister's Decision No. 742/QD-TTg of May 26, 2010)