The directorate, operating under theMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said coral reefs are importantto ensuring ecological balance and providing nutrition for the sea. They arealso the habitat of many aquatic species.
Despite their significant value,Vietnam loses more than 50 tonnes of coral every year, excluding black coralsoff the coast of Hai Phong city and such provinces as Quang Ninh, Quang Binhand Quang Tri.
The loss of coral reefs will lead tothe exhaustion of fisheries resources as they harbour 25 percent of marinespecies, according to the directorate.
It added that to recover the marineecosystem, it is necessary to clean sea water while managerial agencies mustban destructive fishing and waste release.-VNA