The Co To - Tran Island marine conservation area covers a total area of around 18,414 hectares (Photo: Ngo Tran Hai An/ /baoquangninh.vn)

The move reflects the province’s commitment to implementing the national biodiversity conservation strategy and promoting a sustainable blue economy. It will create an important foundation for eco-tourism development, scientific research and sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

It will also protect, restore and expand populations of rare and endangered marine species, particularly migratory species  while preserving the distinctive natural landscape of the Co To – Tran Island waters for scientific research, education and development of non-extractive eco-tourism, adventure tourism and leisure tourism.