{"id":2587,"date":"2024-10-07T06:40:40","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T03:40:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rumblefishvietnam.com\/?p=2587"},"modified":"2024-11-18T08:28:09","modified_gmt":"2024-11-18T05:28:09","slug":"padi-dive-against-debris-clean-up-day-at-van-phong-bay-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rumblefishvietnam.com\/vi\/2024\/10\/07\/padi-dive-against-debris-clean-up-day-at-van-phong-bay-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"PADI Dive Against Debris \u2013V\u1ec7 Sinh \u0110i\u1ec3m L\u1eb7n t\u1ea1i V\u1ecbnh V\u00e2n Phong, Vi\u1ec7t Nam"},"content":{"rendered":"
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V\u1ec1 V\u00e2n Phong Bay<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u00e2n Phong remains a hidden jewel, with its pristine shallow reefs around Hon Tai islet and the nearby peninsula still thriving, thanks to lower tourism pressure compared to the bustling Hon Mun Marine Park. Amid the fish and lobster farms, vibrant coral life persists despite the\u00a0<\/span>Spring-Summer 2024<\/span>\u00a0heat wave\u00a0<\/span>(<\/span>NOAA & ICRI Press Release<\/span><\/a>, April 2024)\u00a0<\/span>that has threatened marine ecosystems along the Vietnamese Eastern Sea. Encouragingly, signs of coral recovery offer hope that resilient colonies will continue to flourish. Water temperatures at a depth of 10-15 meters were recorded at 27\u00b0C, climbing to 30\u00b0C near the surface. These readings were contributed to\u00a0<\/span>#coralwatchvietnam<\/span><\/a>, a collective initiative that tracks temperature data provided by Vietnam\u2019s diving community.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Allen Coral Atlas<\/span><\/a>\u00a0map. Zoom on V\u00e2n Phong Bay. GPS pinned on Hon Tai dive site \ud83d\udccd.<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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Purple Gorgonian or Subergorgia<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Foliose coral<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Discarded lobster molt<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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Exallias brevis, the leopard blenny<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Mushroom coral polyp<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Favia speciosa, stony coral (Merulinidae)<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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A word from Ho\u00e0ng, our marine biologist and SDC member<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“The coral reef ecosystem around H\u00f2n T\u00e0i Island in V\u00e2n Phong Bay is diverse but unevenly distributed across different depths. Reef fish density is low, and larger species are rare. However, the area shows good coral cover (50-75%) and in good general health, though minor coral bleaching has occurred. Human impact is minimal, but the northern seabed is affected by an unidentified organism and nearby aquaculture may pose future risks to water quality and the reef’s health.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Read his more detailed report here and discover which coral species listed in Vietnam’s red book was found there.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\ud83e\udeb8\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Dive Against Debris<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Saigon Divers Club community rallied 17 divers, both recreational and professional, to restore a\u00a0<\/span>4,000 m\u00b2<\/span>\u00a0sandy seabed, clearing debris and providing cleaner waters for visitors. This initiative also helped the marine ecosystem begin to reclaim the area. It was incredible to see how much life was flourishing despite the debris. The team successfully removed\u00a0<\/span>101 kg<\/span>\u00a0of plastic bags, food wraps, torn fabric and discarded fishing lines. More unusual: remains of a washing machine and discarded batteries were also recovered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To ensure both safety and efficiency, all participants completed the\u00a0<\/span>Dive Against Debris course<\/span><\/a>\u00a0v\u00e0\u00a0<\/span>CPR<\/span>\u00a0training, both organised by Rumblefish Vietnam, a 5-star IDC Center.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Designated clean-up site: shallow sandy bottom (4-5 m deep), just outside the\u00a0<\/span>Light Coral Island Resort<\/span>\u00a0in V\u00e2n Phong Bay, as seen in Google satellite view.<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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CPR: learn the moves that save \u2764\ufe0f\u200d\ud83e\ude79! {<\/span>credit: Huy Nguyen}<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Saigon Divers Club ready to \ud83d\udc4c\ud83c\udffc & \ud83d\udc4e\ud83c\udffc ! {Credit: Truc}<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Divers are fully geared to recover debris \u2702\ufe0f\ud83e\udde4\ud83d\udecd\ufe0f.<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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Lift bags are even necessary to safely bring back the debris while maintaining adequate buoyancy. \u2194\ufe0f<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The crew sorting the trash \ud83e\udde4 {credit: Huy Nguyen}<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Plastic alone amounted to 93 kg \ud83d\udeae<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Following the Dive Against Debris citizen science protocol, the debris was meticulously weighed, sorted, classified, and quantified before being properly disposed of. The breakdown of the recovered materials is detailed below. A comprehensive report was submitted to the AWARE Foundation, a global nonprofit that compiles data from divers worldwide. By contributing to this international effort, the Saigon Divers Club aims to put Vietnam on the map and encourage decision-makers to take bold steps toward achieving their sustainability goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Each category in % of the total weight of\u00a0<\/span>101<\/span>\u00a0kg of recovered debris.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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See the\u00a0<\/span>submitted data\u00a0<\/span><\/a>on Dive Against Debris Website or download the PDF version of the\u00a0<\/span>Dive Against Debris Data Card<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0More largely, a\u00a0<\/span>Global Plastic Pollution Treaty<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is being discussed at the highest level and community members can also have their voice heard by signing this petition online.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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\ud83d\udd17 via\u00a0<\/span>WWF<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\ud83d\udd17 or via\u00a0<\/span>PADI<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Through dedicated efforts like those of the Saigon Divers Club and the #coralwatchvietnam initiative, we are witnessing firsthand the resilience of our oceans, even in the face of climate threats. However, the fight to protect and restore our marine ecosystems is far from over. We invite everyone \u2014 divers, ocean lovers, and advocates for a sustainable future \u2014 to join us in these vital efforts. Whether by participating in cleanup dives, supporting citizen science, or simply raising awareness, your involvement can help drive meaningful change. Together, we can ensure that Vietnam\u2019s underwater treasures not only survive but thrive for generations to come.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Join the Saigon Divers Club<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Want to make a difference ?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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