Domestic tourists in Vietnam fined S$1,200 after they broke over 10kg of protected coral
On 18 July, photos of a group of tourists in Vietnam collecting broken pieces of coral circulated online, drawing public outrage.
The attention prompted authorities to begin investigating the case the following day.
Source: Tuoi Tre News
According to Tuoi Tre News, authorities were able to track down the group of tourists.
Two of the men admitted to breaking the coral, but said they were not aware it was protected.
They are being fined VND25 million (S$1,200) each for their actions.
Travelers had broken coral to take home
The group had traveled to Hon Chong beach in Khanh Hoa Province from Dong Nai in southern Vietnam.
They were swimming at the beach when two of the men broke off the coral to bring home as souvenirs.
Locals who noticed the incident quickly took photos and alerted authorities.
Source: VietNamNet Global
The Nha Trang Bay Management Board said the two men had removed approximately 10.5kg of Acropora coral, a species protected under Vietnamese law.
Reports show signage at the beach informing visitors that damage to the local ecosystem is prohibited.
Source: VietNamNet Global
Fined for the act
Authorities did not deem the men’s actions as meeting the threshold for criminal prosecution.
Nevertheless, they fined the pair VND25 million (S$1,200) each.
Hon Chong beach currently has 11 hectares of coral reefs, with some areas currently undergoing restoration.
To ensure that the coral can heal, authorities have designated conservation zones that travelers are barred from entering.
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Featured image adapted from VietNamNet Global and Tuoi Tre News.
