A group of researchers from Vietnam's National Agency of Aquatic Resources Protection recently surveyed the reefs off that country's northern Quang Ninh province, adjacent to the Gulf of Tonkin. Unfortunately, the team concluded that non-sustainable fishing practices -- like blast fishing and cyanide poisoning -- has led to widespread coral destruction. In fact, the researchers concluded that "up to 85% of the coral reef had died at Co To Island." Moreover, what fishermen hadn't blown up, they smothered (overfishing has led to the rapid development of seaweed, which covers the reef, preventing its growth), or crushed with anchors.

Local officials claim that the restoration of the reefs will require great effort, time, and money. Their first suggestion was to limit the amount of fishing allowed in the area. Happily, Vietnam has already vowed to cut its fishing fleet in half by 2010. Their next suggestion was to restock the reefs with indigenous fish. I wonder if the researchers know how to force the fish to stay on the reef.