Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research Law in Bai Tu Long Bay ...

Frontier-Vietnam Environmental Research Report 27
2.0 PROCEEDINGS
Day 1
After an introduction by Mr. Pham Tuan Hung, Vice Director of Bai Tu Long NP and
Mr. Leo Bottrill, Project Manager of the Frontier-Vietnam Biodiversity Awareness
Project, a series of presentations were given explaining the context of a national park
and the laws that govern it. Dr. Nguyen Cu from the IEBR gave an opening
presentation explaining the value of biodiversity and the importance protecting it
through the national park system. He also detailed some of international and national
regulations implemented to protect endangered species.
Appendix. II – Full transcript of Mr. Leo Bottrill’s introduction
Appendix. III – Full transcript of Dr. Nguyen Cu’s presentation
Dr. Cu was followed by two presentations on the status of biodiversity within Bai Tu
Long National Park. Mr. Nicholas Hardiman, Frontier-Vietnam Research Coordinator,
gave the first presentation describing the current status of terrestrial
biodiversity. Basing results on 8 months of research in the park, Mr. Hardiman
identified key floral and faunal species within the park’s forests and the pressures they
currently face from continued logging, limestone mining, and hunting. He also
provided feedback on the affects that encroachment had on the park’s ecosystems and
provided recommendations for park management.
Mr. Nguyen Van Chiem, Senior Scientist at the Ministry of Fisheries Hanoi, followed
Mr Hardiman with an introductory presentation on the nature of marine ecosystems,
followed by an overview of the current status of marine resources in the park. Mr.
Chiem explained the threats to Bai Tu Long’s marine biodiversity through pesticide
run off, sewage dumping, logging in watershed areas and mangrove zones. He also
mentioned the benefits of protecting the marine ecosystems, such as sustaining fish
stocks, protecting coastal zones from erosion, maintaining biodiversity and gene
pools, and becoming tourism attractions.
Appendix IV and V for transcripts of Mr. Chiem’s presentations
After Mr Chiem’s presentation, Mr. Bottrill wrapped up the day’s proceedings and
explained how they tie into the discussions on Day 2. Mr. Bottrill explained the
importance of providing context to tomorrow’s discussions on National Park
legislation. He explained how we had learnt the importance of Bai Tu Long’s
biodiversity in both an environmental and economic context as well as the serious
threats the park currently faces.
A study tour has been scheduled for the afternoon but due to strong winds it was
postponed until the following day.
The day’s proceedings was covered by a camera crew from VTV Hanoi who
interviewed Mr. Bottrill and Mr. Hung.
Law enforcement workshop: Bai Tu Long Bay: 162/10/022
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