1. BACKGROUND………………………………………………………………………………………………3
2. ICRAN ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR 2003………………………………………………………………….4
2.1.Increasing public awareness of authorities and locals ………………………………………..4
2.2.Education and communication materials………………………….………………………………….7
2.3.Strengthening management capacity on coral reef protection…………………………………...8
2.4.Establishing selfmanaged model for community on coral reef management……...………..11
2.5.Testing algae growing model……………………………………………………………..…………..13
2.6.Reproduction and distributing copies of Viet Namese version of
"CR monitoring for management" Manual………………… ……………...……………………..…15
2.7. Final meeting …………………………………………………………………..………………………….16
3. ASSESSMENT OF ICRAN 2003’s ACTIVITIES…….……………………………….…………………16
4.PLAN FOR ICRAN 2004………………………………………………………………………..……………17
5. LIST OF ACRONYMS………………………………………………………………….……………………18

1. BACKGROUND:
In 2002, Ninh Thuan DOST collaborated with “United Nations Environment Programme”
(UNEP) to implement “International Coral Reef Action Network” (ICRAN) Project at Nhon Hai and
Vinh Hai Communes, Ninh hai district, Ninh Thuan Province which is selected as demonstration site in
Vietnam. The purpose of the project is to decrease the coral resourse destruction by managing the protected areas and coral basing on the participation of the community and development of ecotourism.
Rapid ecological assessment of diversity, cover and status of reef-building corals was conducted by Lyndon Devantier (WWF project) at 23 sites in 18 coastal fringing reef locations offshore from Nui Chua Nature Reserve, Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Thuan Province, South-central
Vietnam in 2002-03 (4 locations June 2002, 14 locations March 2003). In his report, some 307 reefbuilding coral species, from 59 genera in 15 families, were recorded (range among the 23 sites: 54 -
124 species). Of these, some 46 species are new distribution records for Vietnam, although more than half of these have also been recently recorded in Nha Trang Bay and / or Con Dao Islands. The
Nui Chua reefs support a large number of new distribution records for Vietnam, some of which are considered to be globally uncommon or rare. These coral communities show considerable differences in species composition and community structure with those further north (Hon Mun MPA, Na Trang
Bay) and south (Con Dao National Park), and thus provide a high degree of complimentarity in development of an integrated, representative national and regional MPA network.
ICRAN Activities have been done in the year 2002
Report on summarising the existing legislation and management practices at the site. The assessment identify the needs of the site for improvement in current management;
Report on ideas for alternative income opportunities relevant to the site;
Attend regional workshops in Phuket-Thailand for reporting the legislation assessment results, planning site visits with other site Focal Points, and planning future activities;
Visit demonstration site in Apo island, Philippines. The site visit report summarised the lessons learned, advantages and constraints of results transfer Ninh Thuan, successful management practices from demonstration sites;
Report on assessment of the socio-economic impacts on coral reef health in Ninh Thuan
Province; reefs;
Organise a training workshop on identifying and minimising socio-economic impacts on coral
Translate to Vietnamese, the man ual, “Coral Reef Monitoring for Management,” by Dr. Andre
Uychiaoco .

2. ICRAN ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR 2003
In 2003, Ninh Thuan DOST continue collaborated efficiently with Sub DoFP and related agencies in implementing “International Coral Reef Action Network” (ICRAN) Project in Ninh Thuan
Province. Here are the results:
1. A delegation of 8 people from Ninh Thuan visited Apo Island and participated in a training workshop at Silliman University, Phillipines (April /2003).
2. Establishing 2 coral resourses self-managed volunteer teams for two protected stations at Hon Do- Nhon Hai (6 volunteers) and Hang Rai -Vinh Hai (4 volunteers) (Sept.
2003). Promulgating regulation at commune level on function, responsibilities and powers of the volunteer team.
3. Testing the algae growing at Bai Hom- Thai An (8.2003) and My Hoa - Nhon Hai
(12/2003).
4. Collaborated with Sub DoFP, Nhon Hai PC, Vinh Hai PC and related agencies to organise 10 training workshops on coral conservation at Nhon Hai and Vinh Hai communes with more than 911 key participants. (Nov. 2003)
6.
5. Design and produce communication materials (poster, leaflet, pano, cassettes) for children and local community (Nov. 2003).
Translate and print 100 copies of “CR Monitoring for Management” Manual.
In the year 2003, with the co-finance support mechanism for ICRAN, Ninh Thuan province has also supportted to establish two coral resources protection stations at
Nhon Hai and Vinh Hai Communes, carried out dissemination on coral reef to local communities, formed ICRAN project team of 3 members at DOST. Other activities in the project site positively contributed to the success of ICRAN project such as: Sea
Turtle Project Conservation funded by WWF Indochina at Thai An, Marine Zoning
Project funded by WWF at Vinh Hai Commune.The Mapping Project funded by UNEP has just been initiated in Ninh Thuan in 2003 and will be scheduled to show the results in 2004. reefs
2.1.Increasing public awareness of authorities and locals on the importance of coral
2.1.1.Workshop and training course for local communities and authorities to increase awareness of protecting and managing coral reefs .
In Nov.2003, Training Programme consists of 10 training workshops implemented at 2 communes: Nhon Hai (6 workshops) and Vinh Hai (4 workshops).
Location Date Number of Key Participants
Nhon hai Commune
1.Nhon Hai People’s Committee Office
2.My Hiep village
3.My Tan village
4.Khanh Nhon & Khanh Phuoc village
5.My Tuong 1 & My Tuong 2 villages
6.My Phong village
Vinh Hai Commune
1.Vinh Hai People’s Committee Office
2.Vinh Hy village
3.Thai An village
4.My Hoa village
4th Nov.2003
7th Nov.2003
9th Nov.2003
9th Nov.2003
16th Nov.2003
16th Nov.2003
22nd Nov.2003
22nd Nov.2003
23rd Nov.2003
23rd Nov.2003
103
109
132
106
55
72
81
102
94
57

Curriculum of each training workshop :
1. Register .
2. Introduce representatives.
3. Introduce generally about the ICRAN project .
4. Input information from moderator/ trainer:
What is coral reef (CR)?
Why do we protect CR?
What should we do to protect CR?
The legal documents concerning to the CR protection.
The role of community to protect CR.
5. Plenary discussion.
6. Closings
.
 Invited representatives: DOST, Sub DoFP, Leaders of Nhon Hai and Vinh Hai PC, Village leaders and key residents.
 Lecturer and documents:
- Trainer/Moderator : Mr. Tran Phong, Mr. Le Kim Phuoc (DOST), Dang Van Tin (Sub DoFP)
- Documents: Education & communication materials developed by DOST
 Responsibilities:
Agency
DOST
Sub DoFP
Nhon Hai and
Vinh Hai PC
Fisheries Dept.
Responsibilities
Design and print communication material for participants.
Prepare lecture.
Serve refreshment.
Decorate the meeting hall and assistant for lecturer.
Transportation.
Prepare lecture.
Design and distribute notebook, biro, interview sheet, commitment paper for Participants.
Decorate the meeting hall and assistant for lecturer.
Support for transportation.
Select place for training worshop. Select and distribute invitation papers to key participants.
Observe.

2.1.2.Evaluation and the Demands for the year 2004:
The training workshops met well the demands of community. There were full workshop attendance. The participants were willing to say out their ideas, their problems and to question. They are interested in the ICRAN pro jects’s activities and all of them not hesitated to sign the commitment form not exploiting coral reef illegally or by desructive fishing activities. Besides, they are ready to collaborate with functional agencies to control the protected coral area.
* Discussion activities of all workshops in Nhon Hai
(Appendix 1.1& 1.2)
* Discussion activities of all workshops in Vinh Hai
(Appendix 2.1& 2.2)
Participants’ most concerns are:
- It needs to have feasible solution to prevent the destructive fishing activities such as using dynamite, poison to damage the coral reef (mainly caused by outsider)
- It needs to have policy to support local fishers whose the daily life basing on the coral exploitation with alternative income livelihoods so that they can protect efficiently the coral reef.
- It needs to establish more coral reef protected stations at locals.

The demands from the participants for the year 2004 :
- Continue using various means of communication to popularize the coral reef protection activities and legal documents in local communities.
- Maintain and broaden more coral reef self-managed volunteer teams.
- Test some more alternative income livelihoods for local fishers whose life depend on the coral reef resources. Test marine eco-tourism model basing on the community participation and marine resources protection.
- Functional agencies regularly go on patrol, examine the local people’s legal obidance and support coral reef self- managed volunteer team timely.
- Collaborate with surrounding provinces to prevent the outsider to exploit coral reef illegally.
2.2.Education & communication materials for school children and local community: brochures, posters, audio visual media, mobile exhibition, camera

Designed, printed and distributed
500 leaflets ( 30cm x 40 cm) with the contents:
 Introduction about coral resources in
Ninh Hai district.
 Value of coral reef and why we protect coral reef.
 How are the coral reef being threatened ?
 What should the community do to protect coral reef?
 Introduction information on ICRAN project.
 ICRAN activities in 2003.
(Appendix 3)

Edited and recorded 90-minutes tape with the message calling upon the community together to protect coral reef. This tape was made into 20 copies and distributed to two communal broadcast stations and Ninh Hai district’s centre.

Edited and produced a 40 – minutes videotape transmitted on central and provincial broadcast stations (VTV and NTV) 3 times and being made into 3 copies for district and communes.
 Designed and printed 200 T-shirts, 100 caps with coral pictures to disseminate about
ICRAN project, distributed them to key volunteers, propangandist, commune leaders, associations and other unions in the project site.

 Designed and produced
 Collaborated with WWF Indochina to organise two mobile exhibitions through competetions on drawing pictures and playing roles on coral reef and sea turtle conservation at Ngo Quyen secondary and Thai An primary schools on Nov. 6th, 2003 at Vinh Hai district. The products will be exhibited at communication centre of marine resources conservation in Jan. 2004 at Thai
An, Vinh Hai Commune.
The disseminated products were designed elaborately and carefully. When performed, they all created good impression on local communities and leaders and positively changed their awareness and behavior about coral reef conservation. These activities had good contribution to the success of ICRAN Project in 2003 and needed to be continuously done in 2004.
2.3.Strengthening management capacity on coral reef protection
From 24/4/2003 to 01/5/2003, the Vietnamese delegation attended a Training on coral reef protection based on community participation, community organizer, eco-tourist development, environmental communication at Silliman University and Apo, Philippines (co-participation mechanism between Apo-Ninh Thuan as in 2002) .
List of Vietnamese Participants for training workshop in Phillipines -
1/ Mr. Tran Phong - Director of Ninh Thuan Department of Science & Technology (DOST).
2/ Mr. Dang Van Tin - Head of Section /Sub-Department of Fishery Protection
3/ Mr. Vo Dang Long - Chairman of The People’s Committee of Nhon Hai Commune
4/ Ms. Tran Thi My Anh - Head of Woman’s Union of Nhon Hai Commune
5/ Ms. Le Thi My Hanh - Head of Woman’s Union of Vinh Hai Commune

6/ Mr. Nguyen Tuong Giao - Vice Director of Nui Chua Naional Park
7/ Ms. Lam Thuy Ngoc Van - Teacher of Ninh thuan – Interpreter.
8/ Mr. Tran Chinh Khuong - Staff member of Coastal and Marine programme , WWF
Indochina Programme – Interpreter.
Schedule
Tentative Date: April 23-, 2003
4/24: Vietnamese delegates (approximately 8 people) arrive in Manila
4/25: Plenary lecture:
The Role of CB-CRM in Southeast Asia
The role of the Community Organizer in CB-CRM in the Philippines,
The National Framework for Ecotourism Development in the Philippines
The Role of Mass Communication in Building Public Awareness of
Conservation and the Environment
Enhancing CB-CRM by building Leadership skills
4/26-4/29: Break up of delegates into three teams for intensive site visits and training. This training was be designed and run by each of the above-mentioned experts. The concept is that the delegates can expose to several communities within the province of Negros Oriental, including but not exclusive of Apo. During these visits, they met people actually involved in the activities for which they are receiving training, and have the opportunity to ask questions and interview participants. The choseen examples that represent both successful and less successful experiences. The delegates also had time to prepare their own final presentations.
4/30
Summary report are to be given by Vietnamese delegateson, on: Community Organizing,
Leadership Capacity Building,Mass Communication
Wrap-up discussion
5/01: field trip to a local tourist spot
For detail, Please see the final report 2003 from Philippines by Dr. Laurie Raymundo

The draft plan for activities in
Ninh thuan 2003 which was showed at the training course in Silliman
University
(Appendix 4)
Before the training course

2.4.Establishing self-managed model for community on coral reef management
In the framework of MOU 2003/ICRAN project in Ninh Thuan, DOST collaborated with relevant agencies carry out site visits on May 19, 2003 to 2 communes of Vinh Hai and Nhon Hai to start establishing a self-managed community model on coral reef protection at these communes. The first important task is identify three components of self-managed model on coral reef protection at the site :

(a) Place and scale of protected area at stage 1.

(b) Location and design of protection station.

(c) Selection and operation of volunteer team.
Results from site visit and discussion with the local people and leaders:
AT VINH HAI COMMUNE:
(a) The chosen protected area will be from Hang Rai to Bai Hom with an area of 40 ha (2,000m of coastline *200m from coastline). This area is considered as the place having a diverse ecosystem of coral reefs and convenient to set up the coral reef protection model.
(b)The protection station will be constructed at Hang
Rai and equipped with necessary facilities. Furthermore, preparation of materials publicizing coral reef protection to increase the awareness and responsibility for local people will also be done by DOST. Vinh Hai Commune will be responsible for managing this station.
(c)The volunteer team will include 6 people who will be selected based on specific criteria: good experience with local coastal waters area, strong swimmer, high levels of responsibilities, and willingness to volunteer . To obtain permission to join the volunteer team, the local people will submit an application for consideration by CPC. CPC will then get the ideas for protection from the people.
This team will work in shifts based on the specific regulations drafted by Sub DoFP, suggested by people’s ideas collected by PCC and promulgated by CPCc. DOST also contributed to this regulation.
AT NHON HAI COMMUNE:
(a): The chosen protected area will be from Mui Do to
Cua Lach with the area of 15 ha (3,00m of coastline * 500m from coastline). This area is considered as the place having diverse ecosystem of coral reefs, many fish caves and suitable to set up the coral reef protection model.
(b) Similar to Vinh Hai Commune, a protection station will be constructed at Mui Do and equipped with necessary facilities for coral reef protection.
(c) According to the local people’s ideas, the volunteer team will include 8 people and they will work in shifts. Each shift has 2 volunteers, and the volunteer team will also work with regulations as drafted at Vinh Hai.
The next site visit on 25 and 30 June, 2003 for the next step : choose location to construct protected station and unify its structure, cooperate with local government to select the volunteers team to protect coral and impart the operation regulation for the volunteers. Results from site visit and discussion with the local people and leaders:
AT VINH HAI COMMUNE:
The unified location to construct protected station is at Hang Rai.. From this position, it is easy to observe overally the protected areas in the commune and convenient to transfer gears to the station for the volunteers. The protected station will be constructed with the dimension of 4.3 m x 6 m.

The official list of volunteer team includes 4 persons.
Full name Career
1. Nguyen Van Khanh (team leader)
2. Nguyen Van Loi
3. Pham Hieu
4. Pham Truong Ky
5. Pham Van Phung ( prevention)
6. Van Binh Nguyen (prevention)
AT NHON HAI COMMUNE:
Fisher
Fisher
Fisher
Fisher
Fisher
Fisher
Year of birth
1967
1970
1974
1972
The protected station is located at Hon Do and be constructed with dimension of 3mx5 m.The official list of volunteer team includes 6 persons.
Full name
1. Diep Nghia Hung
2. Pham Ke
3. Tran Van Nhon
4. Pham Hay
5. Nguyen Van Doan
6. Pham Dua
Career
Fisher
Fisher
Fisher
Fisher
Fisher
Fisher
Year of birth
1962
1952
1964
1944
1962
1941
At that time, the operation regulation of volunteer team at 2 communes is being considered for amendment and adjustment. And this regulation was discussed in CPCc meeting in July, 2003.
On 05 September 2003 , Ninh Thuan DOST cooperated with Sub DoFP and Nhon Hai PC to organise a ceremony to establish coral resources selfmanagement volunteers team at Nhon Hai and to hand over the protection stat ion’s key to the volunteer team.
This is the first volunteer team established in Ninh
Thuan province.The participants included: others from community and other associations, coral reefs protection volunteers, hamlet leaders and some old fishers.
Mr. Vo Dang Long, - Chairman of Vinh Hai PC, read aloud the Decision forming the coral resources self-management volunteers team of Nhon hai Commune and the regulation on function, responsibilities and powers of the volunteers team (Appendix 5).
He pledged to give them opportunities to reduce poverty, such as through alternative income livelihoods, in addition to receiving training and professional support from DOST and Sub-DoFP.
Mr. Pham Trung Kien,- Head of Sub DoFP,- emphasized the importance of coral reefs protection and pledged to support the volunteers team with equipments such as: electric rod, telecommunication equipment and other gears so that they can protect coral more effectively.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Hoan, - Director of Nui Chua National Park, - described the relationship between forest ecosystem and marine ecosystem. He also said that after Nui Chua Nature
Reserve was change to Nui Chua National Park, there would be a program on marine protection together with forest protection program. He also promised to actively support the volunteers to protect coral better.
Mr.Diep Nghia Hung-Team Head, representing the coral resources self-management volunteers team, - pledged that

he would effectively prevent coral reefs violations.
This is the first model to protect the marine resourses in Ninh thuan Province.
Similar to Nhon Hai Commune, on 16 September 2003 Ninh Thuan DOST cooperated with Sub DoFP and Vinh Hai PC to organise a ceremony to establish the coral resources self-management volunteers team at VinhHai
2.5. Testing algae growing model
The Kappaphycus alvarezii and Betaphycus gelatinae are two carrageenophytes which are exiting in the coastal waters of Ninh Thuan province. Market demand for carrageenophytes as a source of food and carrageenan has been increasing in recent years. In Ninh Thuan water
Betaphycus gelatinae is distributed naturally along the Ninh Hai district. Their production is low and more and more reducing by overexploitation. The Kappaphycus alvarezii brought to Vietnam from
Japan in 1993. It proved the good growth in some the areas of Ninh Thuan province such as: Son
Hai, Ca Na...These locations are important productive areas of Kappaphycus alvarezii , at the same time provide the seedling for other locations.
The Ninh Hai ’ coast is long about 30 km. It is located in the Up- welling area, so it has the naturally convenient temperature and nutrients for seaweed growth. Nevertheless, the coast is an open sea it suffer the strong waves of annual monsoons.
The first step we transplanted the seaweeds Kappaphycus alvarezii and Betaphycus gelatinae in some locations in Ninh Hai water in order to estimate the potentiality of cultivation.
A contract have been signed beetween Ninh thuan Doste and Nha Trang Institute of
Oceanography for that work.
Method
The location for experimental cultivation is located in Bai Hom, it is an open sea, belong to the coastal water of Thai An commune, Ninh Hai district - Ninh Thuan province. In this location are not village and inhabitant, it distance the village Thai An about 4 km in the north.
The cultivation of Kappaphycus alvarezii was performed by floating method. The depth of cultivation place range 3.5 to 5 m. The area of the rafts was about 400 m2, these rafts were put in the sea with the depth about 0.4 – 0.6 m from the surface. The initial biomass on the rafts is about 1 kg per m2. The seedling of Kappaphycus alvarezii was supplied by
Fishing Encourage Department of Ninh Thuan province. The seedling brought from Son Hai commune. The cultivation of Betaphycus gelatinae was performed by bottom cultivation method.
Seaweeds were tied on dead coral stones, then put them on the bottom 0.5- 1m in depth.

Result and discussion:
The cultivation of Kappaphycus alvarezii in Bai Hom was carried out from 24 May 2003 to 1
August 2003.
The results showed that the growth rate of seaweed was rather low. The mean of growth rate of raise seaweed was 2.36%.d-1 during the period of cultivation (June, July). The growth rate of seaweed in June was determined: 3.89%.d-1, reduced to 1.37%.d-1 in July. After two months the production of seaweed cultivation on the floating rafts was estimated approximately 800 kg. wet weight (2,300 VND/kg), productivity estimated 4.5 kg.m2 .
In comparison with result of seaweed cultivation in Hang Rai that performed in last year (2002) showed the considerable difference of the growth rate and productivity of raise seaweeds. Although, Hang Rai location is not far from Bai Hom, the distance is just about 2.5 km, the mean of growth rate of Kappaphycus alvarezii reach to 13.83%.d-1 (16.77.d-1 in June and
10.89d-1 in July), the productivity reach to 12.58 kg.m2
(16.16 kg.m2 in June and 9 kg.m2 in July) in 2002. Thus, the growth rate and productivity of seaweed
Kappaphycus alvarezii raised in Bai Hom in 2003 were lower compared with raise seaweed in Hang Rai in 2002.
There were some causes leaded to low growth rate and productivity of raise seaweed in Bai
Hom in 2003.
Due to in the summer of this year (2003) the disease of Ice- Ice to Kappaphycus alvarezii was outbreak unexpectedly in Son Hai water (Ninh Thuan province) , where have supported mainly seedling for the seaweed cultivation. The disease transmitted rapidly to other areas caused the considerable loss for seaweed cultivation in Ninh Thuan. During the period of cultivation, a part of seedling die down by the by infection of Ice- Ice, the remainder grew slowly.
In addition, due to the affection of storm happened in central Vietnam in July , the strong waves appeared in Bai Hom broke some seaweed branches.
Those above mentioned events affected badly to growth rate and productivity of raise seaweed in Bai
Hom.
The experiment cultivation of Betaphycus gelatinae in Bai Hom was not successful, because all the seaweed seedlings raised on the bottom were lost after
3 weeks.
The happened invents have made the difficult for estimation on the seaweed cultivation ability in Bai Hom. However, we are having some active results of the work, such as:
- Having the encouragement of local fishermen and government to seaweed cultivation in
Thai An commune.
- Chosen the suitable method for seaweed cultivation in Bai Hom water. Floating raft for
Kappaphycus alvarezii and the bottom cultivation of Betaphycus gelatinae.
- Organized the fisherman group for cultivation. There are 4 local inhabitants and their family having a thorough grasp of the techniques of seaweed cultivation. They have had the some experience about seaweed disease and cultivation. Their knowledge will be expanded in the community, at the same time they could plan and raise, harvest the seaweed themselves in the next time.
The plan of seaweed cultivation in My Hoa commune:
*Purpose: Production of seaweed seedling and study of ability of seaweed cultivation.

*Time of work: from Dec. 2003 untill April 2004.
*Methodology:
The water of My Hoa belong to the coast of Ninh Hai district, it is shallow. The ability of area that can plan to cultivate seaweed about 100 ha. The area of seaweed cultivation is located inside coral reef. The living standard of fishermen is poor.
- Organization of seaweed cultivation community.
The cultivation method is suggested: Monoline method.
The feasible plan of seaweed cultivation in Ninh Hai coast in 2004:
The results of experimental cultivation of Kappaphycus alvarezii in some location of Ninh Hai coast in 2002- 2003 showed the potential of seaweed cultivation along the coast of Ninh Hai district.
But, the plan of seaweed cultivation will be feasible if we notice some things from practical experience:
Having the good seedling of seaweed.
Chose the small or lagoon bay along the coast of Ninh Hai district in order to establish the farm of seaweed cultivation. Because it avoid the strong wave and wind.
It should cultivate seaweed in the season of calm sea: from February till June.
The locations of seaweed cultivation mush near the village in order to care and protect the seaweed rafts easy or must put the sentry box at the location of seaweed cultivation if it is far from village.
It should organize the seaweed cultivation in the large scale in order to limit the loss of production caused by fishes.
Support the seaweed seedling to poor fishermen and organization of cultivation community in Ninh Hai district are important and necessary.
2.6.Reproduction and distributing 100 copies of Viet Namese version of "CR monitoring for management" Manual
"CR monitoring for management" manual
(Appendix 6),
These versions will be distributed at the second stage in
2004 combining with training workshops on coral reef monitoring for in and out of the province.

2.7. Final meeting in 2003 :
Final Meeting at Nhon hai Commune Final Meeting at Vinh hai Commune
On Dec. 24 , Mr. Tran Phong, the Project Manager, had the final meeting with representatives of two communes of Vinh Hai and Nhon Hai. The meeting was about the introductions of all activities of
ICRAN 2003, the achieved successes, the lessons withdrawn from mobilizing the communities to participate in coral protection and from the supporting roles of agencies. The most important and successful part of the meeting was the collection of the ideas from two communes about the activities needed to be continued in 2004 to obtain the project’s prolonged objectives. ( see PLAN FOR ICRAN
2004 below)
3. ASSESSMENT OF ICRAN 2003’s ACTIVITIES :
1. All the tasks in the MOU signed between DOST and UNEP have been fulfilled with expected results.
2. Activities of testing algae model have not achieved success as expected but providing plantation process, investment capital and with drawing experience to develop this model in communities in 2004 with the support from Department of Fishery and local governments.
3. After only one year, the activities at the project site have brought a brandnew “atmosphere” to the coral reef conservation activities here. In large scope, people have awared of the right values of coral reefs and agreed to participate in conservation activities together with the communities. Moreover, key volunteer teams were established and operated with the local’s regulation which were discussed by the local people and signed by communal leader. This is the first model in Ninh Thuan and is one of a few in Viet Nam.
4. The cooperation among DOST, Sub DoFP, Nui Chua Nature Reserve and CPC has achieved successes on finance, personnel, professional skills. With the communities’s participation, activities controlling the marine area of Sub DoFP quit the passive situation due to lack of professional personnel in the past (number of person/whole marine areas in the province).The communities believe in the useful works of Communal People’s Committee.
For the first time, coral conservation works will be discussed in the meeting of CPCc in the early 2004. DOST has fulfilled well the role of organizing and coordinating the project’s activities.
5. Coral conservation activities for 2004 are mostly discussed, proposed by local communities and approved by implementing agencies. Their proposals are very valuable, practical and are important indicator in evaluation of increasing awareness and behaviors for the communities after directly carrying on this conservation programme.
6. Ninh thuan PPC have supportted positively for the project. The agencies in the province have provided finance, personnel and equipment supports for the project. Total financial support from province is about 7,000 USD. Province will provide financial support for 2004 in larger scale including developing eco-tourism and alternative income livelihood. Besides, the project received positive impact from the marine biodiversity conservation and sea turtles projects funded by WWF Indochina in 2003.

4.PLAN FOR ICRAN 2004.
From the outcomes of ICRAN project 2003 and the ideas of local authorities and communities in
Vinh Hai and Nhon Hai Communes in final meeting, prior activities for ICRAN 2004 include:
Communication:
- To make assessment on the effectiveness from changing awareness, behaviour of communities after participating in the training courses and communication activities in 2003.
The assessment will identify the needs for improvement of the communication activities in the year 2004.
- To continue carrying out communication activities in communities with different objectives: for local communities like in 2003, for special target groups such as fishers from outside, fishers in communities with different fishing methods, women, teachers and pupils...
- To establish and train a core propagandist staff which at first includes about 5-10 members in each commune. DOST is responsible for conducting them with professional skills. The team’s specific activities are implemented basing on the local communities’s demands.
- To establish a communication centre on coral and marine resources conservation in each commune. The local people decide the centre’s location, may be at Communal People’ s
Committee’s Office, at school, public meeting house ….
- To provide documents for communication centre. Protection stations will be functioned as: information room on coral conservation for tourists, pupils, visitors to the project site.
- Regularly provide information on project activities for leaders at district, province and centre levels to get their support.
- To organise a competition on coral reef conservation and initiative to protect coral reef between Vinh Hai and Nhon Hai Communes to strengthen more the coorperation between 2 communes. The activities will include :
*To produce communicative products for communities : The song of coral protection and feeling of pride on the project’s place-name, Propaganda posters, Small plays. These products will be used in 2004.
*Testing examination on different situations to protect coral reefs.
*Giving effective and feasible solutions implemented by communities and agencies to overcome problems having negative impacts on natural resources.
Besides, there were art activities and communication products of 2003 introduced by local propagandists with DOST’ support.
To increase capacity for volunteers and effectiveness of protection stations .
- Support volunteers with facilities at protection stations: communications, binoculars, camera, means on patrol in protected area, well.
- Support volunteers alternative income livelihood (breeding, cultivating, algae growing...) by: money from banks with low interest rate or funds from projects managed by district People’s
Committee and other sectors.
- To increase number of volunteers serving by alternate shifts in necessary cases. Testing model in which women participate in the volunteer team so that men can earn their livings by fishing (according to the recommendation from Nhon Hai ‘s Women Association).

- Install warning equipments at protection stations to warn everyone illegal exploitator.
- To continue fulfilling cooperation mechanism between volunteer team and Sub DoFP in legislation enforcement .
Alternative income livelihood.
- Testing community-based eco-tourism model basing on the marine resources conservation
.The products of this model are: cooperation mechanism among Dept. of Tourism and Nui
Chua Nature Reserve, Sub DoFP, communities of the two communes: Nhon Hai and Vinh
Hai. Collecting and using the tourism fee support well for communities in protecting marine resouces. Typical tours. Services providing tourism products made by communities. Providing tourism agencies information on marine resouces and regulation protection in the area.
- To determine the objects in communities directly affected by establishing coral protection areas. Making subgroup to adapt new career basing on their bility and demands. Supporting them to test and do new career (training and transfering technology, materials, consuption markets... )
To increase and monitor the legislation enforcement.
- To b ring marine resources and coral conservation program into People’s Council meeting at the two communes in 2004 to have a Resolution with specific planned actions built by
Communal People’s Committee.
- To assess legislation enforcement in one year since community-based coral conservation model has established and propose activities to increase the effectiveness of this model.
- To organise various activities to control effectively illegal exploitation from outsiders.
- Support timely for volunteer teams to increase their effectiveness.
Strengthen cooperation mechanism between related agencies, associations and local government at all levels.
- To organise sightseeing tours to other provinces for related agencies to learn about about eco-tourism and conservation models, alternative income livelihood, cooperation mechanism between agencies. The participants should be : Staff of Sub DoFP, Dept. of Fisheries , Dost,
Nui Chua Nature Reserve, Dept.of Finance, People’s Committed’s Office of province, district and of two communes, associations (Women, Farmer, Youth) of two communes and key representatives selected by communities. The focused sites are : Hon Mun Marine Park,
Rang Trao Marine Park (Nha Trang City), Con Đao Nature Reserve (Vung tau City), Bach Ma
Nature Reserve (Hue Province) to learn
- To build cooperation mechanism to conserve marine resourses in zoned marine areas at Nui
Chua Nature Reserve (also ICRAN project area)
- To build interbranch cooperation model in developing marine eco-tourism at the project area.
- To extend ICRAN project to Ninh Phuoc district’s marine areas basing on the outcomes of
ICRAN 2003.
5. LIST OF ACRONYMS
CPC Communal People’s Committee
CPCc Communal People’s Council
DOST Department of Science, Technology, and Environment
ICRAN International Coral Reef Action Network
PC People’s Committee
PPC Provi ncial People’s Committee
Sub DoFP Sub Department of Fishery Protection
UNEP
WWF
United Nations Environment Programme
World Wide Fund for Nature