On the morning of July 19, Mr. Dam Hai Van - Head of Nha Trang Bay Management Board confirmed that the unit is coordinating with the People's Committee of Bac Nha Trang ward to verify information about a group of people committing acts of picking up and breaking corals in the Hon Chong area, belonging to Nha Trang beach.
Previously, images appeared on social networks of a group of people holding many coral branches and walking along the beach.
These images are causing outrage because the Hon Chong area is currently being strictly protected by functional agencies to preserve marine ecosystems, including coral reefs.
Immediately after receiving the information, the Nha Trang Bay Management Board transferred all images and related information to the People's Committee of Bac Nha Trang ward for verification and handling according to its authority.
According to Mr. Dam Hai Van, the Nha Trang Bay Management Board previously temporarily cordoned off the coral reef protection area in Hon Chong - Dang Tat sea area from May to the end of August 2026.
During the protection process, the unit placed warning signs and assigned officials to regularly patrol and remind tourists.
However, with a thin force while tourists coming to Nha Trang this season are very crowded, making control difficult.
According to the Nha Trang Bay Management Board, if the coral cluster in the incident weighs about 13kg, then based on Clause 2, Article 8 of Decree 38/2024/ND-CP, it may be fined from 30-40 million VND.
This act stipulates illegal exploitation of aquatic species that do not meet the conditions according to regulations belonging to Group II of the List of endangered, precious, and rare aquatic species or aquatic species belonging to Appendix II of CITES, not yet serious enough for criminal prosecution.
For cases of using fishing gear, nets, net bags or other means to exploit aquatic products, causing destruction of aquatic resources, aquatic ecosystems or destroying the habitat of aquatic species on the list of protected species, point b, Article 6 of Decree 38/2024/ND-CP stipulates a fine of 50-100 million VND.
