Dong Thap Province Promotes Model Linking Fishery Resource Protection with Tourism Development

In Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam, an innovative model that balances local community-led fishery resource protection with tourism development is yielding significant results. The provincial Farmers' Association held a conference on September 22 to summarize the project "Enhancing Livelihoods for People Participating in Co-Management Models for Fishery Resource Protection Integrated with Tourism Development." This initiative has been supported by the Global Environment Facility/Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Implemented from June 2025 to September 2026 across Mỹ Hiệp, Tân Thạnh, and Phú Thọ communes, and Cao Lãnh, Hồng Ngự, An Bình, and Thường Lạc wards, the project involved five community organizations managing a total water surface area of 3,162 hectares. The total project cost was nearly 1.7 billion VND, funded by international grants and local counterpart contributions. During the project''s implementation, community organizations conducted diverse awareness-raising activities aimed at enhancing the understanding of residents and fishermen regarding fishery resource protection. By combining regular resource regeneration activities with patrols, inspections, and monitoring by functional forces, the catch volume in managed areas increased by approximately 1.5 times. The number of rare species and those with low frequency of appearance also increased by 5-7 species. The project provided four motorboats and 50 life jackets to the community organizations, offering financial support for their patrol and monitoring activities to protect fishery resources. This co-management model has enabled residents to transition from being mere "objects of management" to "subjects participating in management." Notably, the project has facilitated the establishment of livelihood models that bring economic benefits to the local population. For instance, the "fish storage during the flood season" model by Community Organization No. 7 recorded a harvest of 18 tons of various fish in 2025, with a total output value of 648 million VND. The average daily income for members during the khai thác (harvesting) season ranged from 150,000 to 270,000 VND per person. Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyễn Chu Hồi, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fisheries Society and Head of the UNDP/GEF SGP Programme, praised the initial success of these co-management models. He stated that the UNDP/GEF SGP Steering Committee is ready to support a new phase of the project. He expressed his hope that participating localities will continue to maintain and promote the effectiveness of the model, ensuring it remains practical and builds upon achieved results to protect and sustainably exploit fishery resources, thereby maintaining livelihoods for the local communities. Mr. Phạm Văn Toàn, Vice Chairman of the Dong Thap Provincial Farmers' Association, said that the association will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to maintain, consolidate, and promote these models, strengthening fishery resource protection efforts. They will also guide community organizations in the effective use and management of equipment and materials handed over by the project. Furthermore, the Provincial Farmers' Association will cooperate in researching and developing standards for experiential tourism at community organizations, aiming to enhance visitor experiences and contribute to building the image of these community-based tourist destinations. At the conference, the Project Management Board officially handed over the management and use rights of all equipment and materials, including patrol motorboats, life jackets, and nets, to the five Community Organizations in the project areas. This transfer empowers local residents to independently manage fishery resource protection and economic development. By HỮU NGHĨA