Southeast Asia
289
Vietnam and China
MAPS 10h and i
VIGtndm has an extensive coastline encompassing a great latitudinal range. In the far south this
coastline is very low-lying and dominated by
the Mekong River Delta and the Cau Mau Peninsula. A
short section of coastline faces the Gulf of Thailand, while
offshore there are a number of islands, including the
relatively hilly Phu Quoc Island and associated islands
to the south, as well as the islands of Nam Du and Tho
Chau, the latter being located about 150 kilometers west
of the mainland. Some 80 kilometers offshore from the
Mekong Delta there are a number of small hilly islands
called the Con Dao (Con Son) Islands. North of the
Mekong Delta Vietnam's coastline becomes one of high
relief, with little or no coastal plain, and the edge of the
continental shelf coming quite close inshore. Further
north still the coastline sweeps in to the west and the continental shelf becomes very wide indeed around the Gulf
of Tonkin. There are occasional islands along the central
coastline, and close to the Chinese border numerous small
islands, including the Cat Ba islands and other dramatic
limestone islands which rise up vertically from the waters
of Ha Long Bay.
Coral reefs have not been described in detail for
any locations There are known to be reefs or coral
communities around most of the offshore islands in the
southwest, and on the Con Dao Islands. On the east coast,
fringing reefs and coral communities have developed
along the mainland, and more particularly the offshore
islands around Nha Trang. The coastline along much of
the Gulf of Tonkin is dominated by soft sediments and
there are few reports of reef development. However, there
are fringing reef communities further offshore in Ha Long
Bay and the Tonkin Gulf
Biodiversity is greatest in the south-central areas
where some 277 coral species have been recorded, while
to the north only 165 species are recorded. Typhoon Linda
caused some damage to the corals in Con Dao Islands in
1997. and there was some additional mortality in 1998
arising from bleaching. Recovery was reported as slow
in Con Dao in 2000, although other affected reefs were
reported to be making a good recovery.
Fishing pressure off the southwest coast is thought
to be very high, with some 7 000 fishing vessels operating
from nearby and probably as many again coming in from
other regions. Deforestation has been a major problem in
Vietnam, largely linked to the use of defoliants during the
Vietnam war. This has caused massive erosion and heavy
sedimentation offshore and may be threatening reefs
A tionfish Pterois volitans, next to the arms of a feather star.
289
Vietnam and China
MAPS 10h and i
VIGtndm has an extensive coastline encompassing a great latitudinal range. In the far south this
coastline is very low-lying and dominated by
the Mekong River Delta and the Cau Mau Peninsula. A
short section of coastline faces the Gulf of Thailand, while
offshore there are a number of islands, including the
relatively hilly Phu Quoc Island and associated islands
to the south, as well as the islands of Nam Du and Tho
Chau, the latter being located about 150 kilometers west
of the mainland. Some 80 kilometers offshore from the
Mekong Delta there are a number of small hilly islands
called the Con Dao (Con Son) Islands. North of the
Mekong Delta Vietnam's coastline becomes one of high
relief, with little or no coastal plain, and the edge of the
continental shelf coming quite close inshore. Further
north still the coastline sweeps in to the west and the continental shelf becomes very wide indeed around the Gulf
of Tonkin. There are occasional islands along the central
coastline, and close to the Chinese border numerous small
islands, including the Cat Ba islands and other dramatic
limestone islands which rise up vertically from the waters
of Ha Long Bay.
Coral reefs have not been described in detail for
any locations There are known to be reefs or coral
communities around most of the offshore islands in the
southwest, and on the Con Dao Islands. On the east coast,
fringing reefs and coral communities have developed
along the mainland, and more particularly the offshore
islands around Nha Trang. The coastline along much of
the Gulf of Tonkin is dominated by soft sediments and
there are few reports of reef development. However, there
are fringing reef communities further offshore in Ha Long
Bay and the Tonkin Gulf
Biodiversity is greatest in the south-central areas
where some 277 coral species have been recorded, while
to the north only 165 species are recorded. Typhoon Linda
caused some damage to the corals in Con Dao Islands in
1997. and there was some additional mortality in 1998
arising from bleaching. Recovery was reported as slow
in Con Dao in 2000, although other affected reefs were
reported to be making a good recovery.
Fishing pressure off the southwest coast is thought
to be very high, with some 7 000 fishing vessels operating
from nearby and probably as many again coming in from
other regions. Deforestation has been a major problem in
Vietnam, largely linked to the use of defoliants during the
Vietnam war. This has caused massive erosion and heavy
sedimentation offshore and may be threatening reefs
A tionfish Pterois volitans, next to the arms of a feather star.