State management of sea and islands is currently assigned to several ministries and agencies based on their function and the tasks to be performed. They include the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Industry and Trade, and Culture, Sports and Tourism. Once the Law on Sea and Island Natural Resources and Environment is approved, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will be in charge of fishery management, according to the Law on Fisheries, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will be in charge of marine tourism, according to the Law on Tourism, and the Ministry of Transport will be in charge of sea ports and maritime services, according to the Maritime Law. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will be the focal point that coordinates the ministries and sectors involved in the management of sea and islands.

Law on Sea and Island Natural Resources and Environment contributes to marine economy

Vietnam has great potential for marine economic development with its coastline of more than 3,260 km, and its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of more than 1 million square km, which triples the mainland area. Vietnam’s sea has rich resources of minerals, fisheries and bio-diversity. Strengthening state management of the marine economy, therefore, is vital to Vietnam’s national construction and defense.

The marine economy plays an increasingly important role in national economic development, contributing nearly 50% of the GDP. Bui Thi An is a deputy for Hanoi: “We need to re-assess the potential of the marine economy and marine natural resources in terms of fisheries, minerals and oil and gas. Based on the assessment, we can work out plans for the management and exploitation of marine resources. Only by so doing can we boost marine economic development”.

The Law on Sea and Island Natural Resources and Environment doesn’t stipulate the management and exploitation of any specific natural resource already stipulated in other laws. It stipulates mechanisms and tools to coordinate sectors at all levels to ensure effective and sustainable exploitation and use of marine resources, and protect the interests of involved parties and the marine environment.

The Law is relevant to safeguarding national maritime sovereignty

Vietnam’s sea and islands play an important role in national defense. They are an inseparable territory of Vietnam. Defending national sovereignty over the sea and islands is the responsibility of every Vietnamese. Duong Trung Quoc is a deputy of Dong Nai province: “I applaud the creation of a separate law on sea and island natural resources and environment. In addition to stipulations on marine resources, the law will create favorable conditions for Vietnam to boost its development, strengthen its relations with other countries and implement international commitments”.

Stipulations in the Law on Sea and Island Natural Resources and Environment focuses on mapping out master plans on exploitation, utilization, and delegation of state management of marine resources and the protection of marine heritages. The law scrutinizes and connects stipulations in related laws to create a comprehensive legal system governing sea and islands. The law aims to provide a legal framework for a new method of managing marine resource exploitation and use.