Establishing the Co To – Tran Island marine protected area: A driving force for green marine economic development

The Co To – Tran Island archipelago, Co To special zone, Quang Ninh Province, is an area of particularly strategic importance in terms of national defence and security. It possesses significant potential for marine economic development and serves as a gateway linking the mainland with the centre of the Gulf of Tonkin. This area has been recognised as having the highest level of biodiversity among the outlying islands in the northeastern region of Vietnam. Together with Bai Tu Long, Ha Long, and Cat Ba, it forms a coastal corridor with exceptionally high biodiversity, representing one of the largest genetic resource reserves along Vietnam’s coastline. Its diverse topography and geomorphology, good water flushing capacity, and limited influence from nearshore water masses create a clean and stable environment, providing favourable conditions for the development, protection, and restoration of typical ecosystems and rare species. Strict protection of this area is of vital importance in the context of climate change and overexploitation of fisheries resources. The marine protected area functions as a natural “gene bank”, helping to restore fisheries resources across the entire Gulf of Tonkin, thereby ensuring food security and long-term livelihoods for local fishing communities.

Submerged habitats in the Co To special zone serve as nursery grounds for aquatic and marine species. (Photo: Nguyen Van Quan)

The role of science and technology in advancing the establishment of the Co To – Tran Island marine protected area

Recognising the value and role of the marine natural resources of the Co To – Tran Island archipelago for marine economic development in Co To island district (now the Co To special zone), Quang Ninh Province invited marine scientists from the Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment (formerly the Institute of Marine Resources and Environment) to provide consultancy for the detailed planning of the marine protected area during the 2017–2018 period. As a leading specialised marine research institution, the Institute’s scientists overcame numerous difficulties to successfully complete the consultancy work. The planning of the marine protected area was based on a solid scientific foundation, including a comprehensive assessment of marine conservation values in accordance with the criteria for establishing marine protected areas set out by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as well as detailed guidance on the classification of marine protected areas issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. In practice, however, the research team faced a more complex challenge, as this is a frontline island area bordering a neighbouring country and also one of the most important fishing grounds of Quang Ninh Province and the country as a whole. The placement of conservation institutions was therefore essential to protect fishing grounds, while also requiring careful consideration of the future development plans of the Co To special zone. On that basis, the planning aimed to ensure a balance between conservation and sustainable development, in line with natural processes governing the future operation of the marine protected area.

Through the concerted efforts of scientists from the Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment in research and consultancy, together with the support of the Co To special zone authorities and local residents, the detailed planning for the Co To – Tran Island marine protected area was approved by the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh Province under Decision No. 1614/QD-UBND in 2020. The plan clearly defined the scope, boundaries, area, and sub-zoning of the protected area, classifying it as a provincial-level species and habitat conservation area.

The detailed planning map of the Co To – Tran Island marine protected area prepared by the Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment in 2018 (A: Co To sub-zone; B: Tran Island sub-zone)

On November 27, 2025, the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh Province issued Decision No. 4508/QD-UBND on the establishment of the Co To – Tran Island marine protected area. The official establishment of the protected area marked a historic turning point, opening a new era for the sustainable and prosperous development of the Co To special zone. This strategic decision not only aims to protect valuable biodiversity but also serves as a strong catalyst, creating major momentum for the “green marine economy” model that Co To is pursuing. According to the Decision, the Co To – Tran Island marine protected area has a total area of 18,414.92 ha, including 13,230.5 ha of functional sub-zones (strict protection sub-zone, ecological restoration sub-zone, and service–administrative sub-zone) and 5,184.42 ha of buffer zones. The functional zoning specified in the establishment decision reflects a key principle: conservation does not mean “locking down” and banning all exploitation. Instead, conservation is aimed at maintaining marine ecosystem services, thereby creating a foundation for sustainable, circular economic development and long-term prosperity for future generations.

Silver snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) resources on coral reefs around Thanh Lan Island, Co To special zone

A driving force for green marine economic development: Dual benefits for Co To

The concept of the “blue economy” does not merely focus on resource exploitation, but emphasises harmony between economic development and marine environmental protection. The Co To – Tran Island marine protected area provides a solid foundation for implementing this model.

Promoting high-end ecotourism

With its pristine, majestic natural landscapes and diverse ecosystems, the marine protected area is expected to become a magnet for domestic and international tourists, especially those interested in nature exploration, coral reef diving, and indigenous cultural experiences. Sustainable tourism development will generate stable income and create jobs for local communities without placing excessive pressure on the environment.

Developing responsible fisheries
The establishment of protected zones enables marine species to reproduce and grow, before migrating to surrounding areas and enriching traditional fishing grounds. On that basis, fishermen can harvest more effectively in buffer zones and designated economic areas, moving towards high-tech, environmentally friendly aquaculture models.

Developing a green carbon market for the Co To special zone

By effectively protecting blue carbon ecosystems with the capacity to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, water, soil, and marine sediments, such as evergreen forests (Tran Island), mangroves (Co To Island), coral reefs, and seagrass beds, carbon absorption can be calculated and converted into carbon credits for trading on national or international markets. The revenue generated can then be reinvested in marine ecosystem conservation, contributing to the protection of marine natural resources in the Co To special zone and Quang Ninh Province as a whole.

The Detailed Planning Project for the Co To – Tran Island Marine Protected Area, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Quan, Vice Director of the Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment, is one of the outstanding scientific works within the cluster of projects on marine resource and environment research in Quang Ninh Province during the 2015–2025 period. The project has recently been awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Chairperson of the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh Province, recognising its important contributions to scientific research and technology transfer in support of sustainable marine economic development.

Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnamese version