Coral poachers face fines

Perpetrators of illegal coral exploitation in protected areas in central Da Nang City’s Son Tra peninsula will be fined up to VND10 million (US$512).
The deputy head of Son Tra Peninsula Management Board, Phan Xuan Tiep, said the severe punishments are intended to protect the coral and the ecosystem in that area that has been threatened by illegal activities.
"Last September, we cast 62 floats with a length of over 9,000 metres to zone five protection areas including Hon Sup, Bai But, Huc Lo-Vung Da, Bai Nom and Bai Bac to prevent people from exploiting coral in the peninsula as well as to serve tourist activities," Tiep said. He added that the coral protection plan was approved by the city People’s Committee.
The first phase of the plan, which began in 2009 and is expected to continue through 2012, has been casting floats, carrying out dissemination and training as well as establishing investigation teams to protect aquatic resources.
The second phase, to be carried out from 2013 to 2015, will work to restore the natural effectiveness of the coral that continues to protect 26,2 hectares of 72 valuable seaweed species at Mui Sung, Tay Hon Sup, Vung Cay Bang, Lang Van, Bai San and Mui Nhoi and 10 hectares of sea grass in the Bai Nom area.
"The number of violations has decreased since Decree 31 on coral protection promulgated in June," he said, adding that they have yet to impose the maximum fine.
The coral ecosystems in the peninsula are said to be some of the largest and most significant areas of biological diversity in Viet Nam.
The peninsula is home to 191 species of stiff coral, three species of soft coral, three species of seaweed, 72 species of algae, 53 species of invertebrates and 221 fugitive floral species among others.