Nha Trang Bay diversity under threat

Bio-diversity in Nha Trang Bay is under serious threat, according to Truong Kinh, director of the Nha Trang Bay's Sea Protection Management Board.
Bio-diversity in Nha Trang Bay is under serious threat, according to Truong Kinh, director of the Nha Trang Bay's Sea Protection Management Board.

Kinh said local scientists had raised the alarm over pollution in the bay after samples of sea water analysed last year showed level of iron and hydrocarbon that exceeded regulated limits.

The water samples are also polluted by micro-organisms, with samples from the mouth of the Cai River showing the highest levels of pollution.

Water from the Cai River brings salt, iron and micro-organisms to Nha Trang Bay, with the increasingly polluted water leading to higher levels of bacteria and algae that harm the coral reef and threaten to unbalance the bay's eco-system.

Kinh said authorities should spend more time sampling water in the bay.

"There were only two checks last year, and before that the last check was conducted in 2007, while the previous one was in 2005," he said.

He also urged related agencies to enhance awareness on the importance of protecting the environment among the public and enterprises while raising fines for environmental violations, especially for enterprises caught discharging untreated sewage into the bay. /.

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