Training Workshop on Marine Turtle Research and Conservation 24-28/7/2001 Vung Tau & Con Dao 121 122 D. V. Vu: Opening speech OPENING SPEECH: TRAINING WORKSHOP ON MARINE TURTLE RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION IN VIETNAM Vu Van Dai Director, Fisheries Department, Ministry of Fisheries, Hanoi, Vietnam Dear Representatives of the People’s Committee of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province and Vung Tau Town, Representatives of Branches and Offices related to Scientific Research, International Experts, and Colleagues, On behalf of MoFi, I would like to welcome all representatives, scientists and managers who are attending the Training Workshop on Marine Turtle Research and Conservation in Vietnam, organized in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. The east coast of Vietnam has a tropical, monsoon climate. Back from the coast there are two large deltas, one in the North and the other in the South. In the middle there is a narrow delta and an enormous mountain range runs parallel with the coast. For many decades our lives have been linked with the sea; and the coastal areas of Vietnam play an important role in our country’s political, economic, diplomatic and security sectors. Vietnam also presides over a huge area of ocean. Its seas encompass many natural ecosystems and play a very important role in our economy, and the livelihoods of many people. Vietnam is a country endowed with abundant and diverse ecosystems, and a high diversity of species and gene generated resources. In general, we call these things biodiversity. According to research studies, there are about 12,000 plant species, 275 species of mammal, 800 species of birds, 180 species of reptiles, and 5,500 species of insect present in our country. Additionally, Vietnam has great potential in fisheries, with about 2040 species of sea fish, 225 species of shrimp and more than 653 species of seaweed, 35 species of squid, 12 species of sea snake, 5 species of marine turtle and 170 species of sea birds. Therefore, the Vietnamese Government has been very interested in developing the fisheries sector. Moreover, we are all trying our best to develop the available natural resources in a sustainable manner. Marine turtles have been used as food in the past (fat and protein) and to make many products (from bone, skin, fat and turtle shells). Thousands of years ago, the trading value of marine turtles was discovered. Now, however, selling marine live marine turtles, turtle meat, fat of turtles and turtle shells is illegal. Recently, marine turtles have been used for non-consumptive purposes such as tourism, study, scientific research, and activities related to finding jobs, gaining information, and producing incomes. The value of marine turtles is not always easy to understand, but they cannot be replaced because of their role in marine ecosystems. This kind of reptile is a unique part of a complicated ecosystem; its life cycle is related to other marine products (including fish and mangrove forests) as well as service of ecosystem (example: coastal zone). Due to the fact that turtles migrate thousands of kilometres and take more than ten years to grow up, they are a symbol of marine and coastal environmental health at the global level and at the regional level. Apart from the material value of sea turtles, these marine species also have a cultural significance that we cannot easily put a value on. Each society has its own tradition of considering turtles as a symbol of belief and knowledge. In industrial society, this kind of reptile has a special function - with an attractive appearance and an intriguing life cycle that creates much curiosity, they are ideal for education and research purposes. For all these reasons, marine turtles have become a symbol of conservation locally, as well as at an international level. To protect these species and ensure the rehabilitation of their populations, large areas of the world have to be considered and managed effectively. In short, marine turtle conservation means marine and coastal area protection. It also requires that we should work Training Workshop on Marine Turtle Research and Conservation 123 hard and use strong enforcement to protect them and their natural environment - as it is the same world that human beings rely on. It should be highlighted that for sea turtles, and many other kinds of animals, it takes a lot of generations before population sizes can be restored after declines. Moreover, when they migrate, animals like sea turtles have to pass over the borders from this country to another. Therefore, we all share the responsibility to protect sea turtles, other animals, and their habitats as natural heritage. Dear colleagues, It is clear that our scientific achievements in biodiversity should have to link with other achievements of the country. The modest results that we have gained so far are a great improvement over the situation in past decades, and this success reflects the close, serious and untiring cooperation not only of scientists but also of supporting groups from government and international organisations. Recognizing the important role of biodiversity in economy and culture, Vietnam has been implementing some steps to protect natural resources for some decades now. Biodiversity conservation is a big challenge for Vietnam, and protecting natural ecosystems and the species that depend on them is not only a job for Vietnam; the rest of the world faces the same challenge. I do hope that the kind attention and encouragement of the Government in combination with the value support of international organisations in general (and of UNDP (CMS-UNEP), DANIDA, and IUCN in particular) will help those of us who are researchers, managers and policy makers in continuing to protect Vietnam’s natural resources in a sustainable way. And that they will assist us in planning and implementing the biodiversity development action plan for the long- term benefit of the country, as well as encouraging us to display our roles as part of the international community that aims to protect natural heritage. We wish the training workshop the best success, and our guests good health. 124 T. H. Nguyen: IUCN welcoming address IUCN STATEMENT AND WELCOME Nguyen Minh Thong Country Representative, IUCN Vietnam, Hanoi, Vietnam It is my pleasure to be here today and to deliver a short statement on behalf of IUCN – The World Conservation Union at this important Training Workshop on Marine Turtle Research and Conservation in Vietnam. As you all know, Vietnam, a State Member of IUCN, ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity in November 1994. This shows the strong interest and commitment of Vietnam to the cause of environmental protection and nature conservation. IUCN therefore, over the past years, has been in close co-operation with the Government of Vietnam, particularly the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology/ National Environment Agency (MOSTE/NEA), in a number of activities. Special focus has been on biodiversity conservation through, for example, our collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries/Research Institute of Marine Products (MOFI/RIMP) in the implementation of the Pilot Hon Mun Marine Protected Area. The National Training Workshop on Marine Turtle Research and Conservation in Vietnam will provide support to the implementation of the Convention on Migratory Species Memorandum of Understanding (CMS/MoU) on Marine Turtle Conservation and Management in the Indian Ocean/South-East Asia in Vietnam. This workshop will build on existing national marine turtle research programs to raise awareness of the CMS MoU in Vietnam, particularly amongst senior officials in the Ministry of Fisheries, the Forest Protection Department (terrestrial national parks), and the Provincial Governments. The workshop has been designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the CMS MoU as well as an introduction to the technical skills (including field observations in Con Dao) required for officials to develop an understanding of conservation and management issues. Additionally, the workshop will identify key stakeholders for participation in the development of a National Marine Turtle Action Plan for Vietnam (under the MoU), and will assess an initial set of issues for incorporation into the National Action Plan. Furthermore, on recommendation of the CMS Secretariat and IUCN Asia, the workshop has provided for limited participation by representatives of Cambodia. The reasons for this are twofold: (1) the workshop will provide an opportunity to increase scientific exchange and cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia. This is of particular importance given the proximity of known marine turtles distributions to the Cambodia/Vietnam border. (2) Given the absence of a Cambodian national workshop, the present workshop will provide stimulus for Cambodian participation in the MoU. This training workshop will serve as a kick-off activity within the framework of the process to develop a draft National Action Plan for Marine Turtle Conservation and Management in Vietnam, and will support Vietnam’s involvement in the CMS and regional marine turtle conservation forums. The workshop has been developed jointly by the Ministry of Fisheries (Research Institute for Marine Products), the Convention on Migratory Species Secretariat, Dr Pilcher of the University of Malaysia in Sarawak, and the IUCN Vietnam Marine Program. I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of IUCN, to express sincere thanks all those who have contributed to the development the workshop, especially RIMP, Prof. Dr. Pham Thuoc and his staff the Ministry of Fisheries and others for their great support, international expert Dr. Nicholas Pilcher (University Malaysia Sarawak), Mr. Douglas Hykle (Deputy Executive Secretary of CMS - UNEP), marine turtle specialist Dr. Jeff Miller, and Dr. Chan Eng Heng. Our special appreciation goes also to the CMS - UNEP, the Danish International Development Agency (Danida), the US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the US National Fish and Training Workshop on Marine Turtle Research and Conservation 125 Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and the members of the IUCN SSC for their cooperation and generous provision of grants to this first national training workshop in Vietnam.