The central province of Thua Thien-Hue has decided to establish an 11th local fisheries conservation zone in the Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon.

The total protected area in the province stands at 350 hectares, including 1.5 percent of the water surface in the lagoon.

The Ha Giang fishery chapter in Vinh Ha commune has been assigned to manage and protect the zone by partnering with competent agencies to handle violations.

The ten other zones include the 23.6 ha Con Chim zone in Phu Vang district, the 40 ha Vung Me zone in Quang Dien district and the 14 ha Gianh Lang zone in Phu Loc district.

Covering an area of 22,000 hectares, the Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon system is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, and is covered by five districts.

It is home to 921 water species, including rare fish and plants. It also supplies food and shelter to 73 migrating bird species.

The lagoon has helped ensure the livelihoods of 300,000 people or nearly 30 percent of the province’s population.

However, traditional fishing methods have exhausted fisheries resources in the lagoon with many species of high economic values standing in the danger of disappearance.-VNA