10kg of coral broken by tourists in south-central Vietnam beyond recovery: expert

Corals are extremely slow-growing animals that play a vital role in maintaining the balance of coastal marine ecosystems, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tac An, former director of the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper.

Damage to coral reefs can have a major impact on coastal ecosystems, increase the risk of coastal erosion, and accelerate climate change.

According to An, reef-building corals help protect the seafloor and coastal ecosystems while providing habitats and breeding grounds for marine life.

Different coral species grow only about 1 to 1.5cm each year, meaning they can take a very long time to recover from damage.

When humans damage coral, the seafloor loses an important protective layer and can be severely disrupted.

Coral damage can also contribute to accelerating climate change by reducing the ocean's ability to absorb carbon and weakening its resilience.

When coral disappears, waves can reach the shore more directly, causing severe coastal erosion.

Beaches also become more vulnerable to erosion and sand loss after losing their natural protective barrier.

Protecting and conserving coral reefs can help improve the tourism landscapes, filter pollutants in the marine environment, and support the development of coastal ecosystems.

An emphasized, "We must not only care for and protect coral, but also restore and regenerate it.”

Coral bleaching risk

Dam Hai Van, director of the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, said coral bleaching occurs when seawater temperatures remain above the normal threshold for several consecutive weeks.

This is a process in which corals expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues. Without these algae, corals lose their vibrant colors and turn pale white.

In addition to pressure from tourism activities, the recurring discharge of polluted wastewater into the sea is also affecting the environment and coral reef ecosystems in Nha Trang Bay.

Waste from aquaculture cages and floating restaurants in Nha Trang Bay is also placing significant pressure on the marine ecosystem, including coral reefs.

In response, the People's Committee of Bac Nha Trang Ward has stepped up beach cleaning, inspected wastewater discharges, and filled a stagnant-water areas.

The local administration has also temporarily sealed discharge outlets and deal with cases of illegal wastewater discharge.

In the long term, the Khanh Hoa People's Committee has assigned the provincial development project management board to address wastewater pollution sources in the Nha Trang drainage system.

On July 19, the People's Committee of Bac Nha Trang Ward in Khanh Hoa Province fined two tourists from Dong Nai City in southern Vietnam VND25 million (US$950) each for illegally breaking coral at Hon Chong Beach.

The incident sparked public outrage after images and posts circulated widely online, showing the tourists breaking off coral branches after swimming, putting them into plastic bags and carrying them away from the beach.