A community consultation on the identification and mapping of fisheries refugia was conducted at Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam from 8th-11th June 2007. This activity was undertaken as part of the regional initiative to establish a system of fisheries refugia in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand. Vietnamese and Cambodian fishers, representatives of the Phu Quoc and Kampot habitat demonstration sites, staff of National Fisheries and Oceanographic Research Institutes, and representatives of Provincial Fisheries and Environment Departments participated in the consultation. An important outcome of the consultation was a map of critical spawning and nursery areas for economically important fish species in the transboundary waters area of Phu Quoc and Kampot. Please click here to learn more about the fisheries refugia initiative of the South China Sea Project, or follow the link below to read more.

Dr. Dao Manh Son introducing the fisheries refugia concept to representatives of the fishing community at Ham Ninh Commune, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam


Representative of the Vietnamese Border Army discussing illegal fishing problems at Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam


Phu Quoc Island and Kampot Habitat Demonstration Site Managers working together in preparation of a habitat mapping exercise with local fishers


Deputy Chief of Kien Giang Department of Fisheries explaining the fisheries refugia concept to local fishermen


A local fisherman navigating a fishing vessel during an activity to map spawning and nursery areas for economically important fish species at Phu Quoc


Phu Quoc Island and Kampot Habitat Demonstration Site Managers discussing the distribution of seagrass on the east coast of Phu Quoc Island


Boundaries of known spawning and nursery areas adjacent to Phu Quoc Island were delineated using GPS

Fishermen inspect seagrass from the large 10,000 hectare seagrass meadow at Phu Quoc Island


Dr. Dao Manh Son with fishermen in transboundary water areas of Vietnam and Cambodia


Vietnamese and Cambodian fishermen enjoying a break from at-sea field work


Small-scale fishermen at Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam


Map of known spawning and nursery areas on the east coast of Phu Quoc Island developed during the consultation