SDC Conservation trip #1 - Dive against Debris

Produced, shot and edited by Bubbles & Lenses

⬇️ Scroll down to read the report below ⬇️

Published on 24/08/2024 by Van Trinh - Photo credit: Bubbles & Lenses, unless stated otherwise

While Vân Phong Bay is still sheltered from mass tourism, it is not safe from debris. For this reason, the Saigon Divers Club organised its first Dive Against Debris trip to Vân Phong Bay, for a week-end of exploration and environmental impact and was held on Aug. 17th and 18th, 2024.

Key figures

Scuba divers

Recovered debris (kg)

Cleaned area (m²)

Protected species

Content

About Vân Phong Bay

Dive Against Debris

Want to make a difference ?

More pictures

About Vân Phong Bay

Vân Phong remains a hidden jewel, with its pristine shallow reefs around Hon Tai islet and the nearby peninsula still thriving, thanks to lower tourism pressure compared to the bustling Hon Mun Marine Park. Amid the fish and lobster farms, vibrant coral life persists despite the Spring-Summer 2024 heat wave (NOAA & ICRI Press Release, April 2024) that has threatened marine ecosystems along the Vietnamese Eastern Sea. Encouragingly, signs of coral recovery offer hope that resilient colonies will continue to flourish. Water temperatures at a depth of 10-15 meters were recorded at 27°C, climbing to 30°C near the surface. These readings were contributed to #coralwatchvietnam, a collective initiative that tracks temperature data provided by Vietnam’s diving community.

Allen Coral Atlas map. Zoom on Vân Phong Bay. GPS pinned on Hon Tai dive site 📍.

Purple Gorgonian or Subergorgia

Foliose coral

Discarded lobster molt

Exallias brevis, the leopard blenny

Mushroom coral polyp

Favia speciosa, stony coral (Merulinidae)

A word from Hoàng, our marine biologist and SDC member

"The coral reef ecosystem around Hòn Tài Island in Vân Phong Bay is diverse but unevenly distributed across different depths. Reef fish density is low, and larger species are rare. However, the area shows good coral cover (50-75%) and in good general health, though minor coral bleaching has occurred. Human impact is minimal, but the northern seabed is affected by an unidentified organism and nearby aquaculture may pose future risks to water quality and the reef's health."

Read his more detailed report here and discover which coral species listed in Vietnam's red book was found there. 🪸

Dive Against Debris

The Saigon Divers Club community rallied 17 divers, both recreational and professional, to restore a 4,000 m² sandy seabed, clearing debris and providing cleaner waters for visitors. This initiative also helped the marine ecosystem begin to reclaim the area. It was incredible to see how much life was flourishing despite the debris. The team successfully removed 101 kg of plastic bags, food wraps, torn fabric and discarded fishing lines. More unusual: remains of a washing machine and discarded batteries were also recovered.

To ensure both safety and efficiency, all participants completed the Dive Against Debris course and CPR training, both organised by Rumblefish Vietnam, a 5-star IDC Center.

Designated clean-up site: shallow sandy bottom (4-5 m deep), just outside the Light Coral Island Resort in Vân Phong Bay, as seen in Google satellite view.

CPR: learn the moves that save ❤️‍🩹! {credit: Huy Nguyen}

Saigon Divers Club ready to 👌🏼 & 👎🏼 ! {Credit: Truc}

Divers are fully geared to recover debris ✂️🧤🛍️.

Lift bags are even necessary to safely bring back the debris while maintaining adequate buoyancy. ↔️

The crew sorting the trash 🧤 {credit: Huy Nguyen}

Plastic alone amounted to 93 kg 🚮

Following the Dive Against Debris citizen science protocol, the debris was meticulously weighed, sorted, classified, and quantified before being properly disposed of. The breakdown of the recovered materials is detailed below. A comprehensive report was submitted to the AWARE Foundation, a global nonprofit that compiles data from divers worldwide. By contributing to this international effort, the Saigon Divers Club aims to put Vietnam on the map and encourage decision-makers to take bold steps toward achieving their sustainability goals.

Each category in % of the total weight of 101 kg of recovered debris.

See the submitted data on Dive Against Debris Website or download the PDF version of the Dive Against Debris Data Card.

More largely, a Global Plastic Pollution Treaty is being discussed at the highest level and community members can also have their voice heard by signing this petition online.

🔗 via WWF

🔗 or via PADI

Through dedicated efforts like those of the Saigon Divers Club and the #coralwatchvietnam initiative, we are witnessing firsthand the resilience of our oceans, even in the face of climate threats. However, the fight to protect and restore our marine ecosystems is far from over. We invite everyone — divers, ocean lovers, and advocates for a sustainable future — to join us in these vital efforts. Whether by participating in cleanup dives, supporting citizen science, or simply raising awareness, your involvement can help drive meaningful change. Together, we can ensure that Vietnam’s underwater treasures not only survive but thrive for generations to come.

Join the Saigon Divers Club

Want to make a difference ?

Stay informed about upcoming conservation and citizen science programs by joining the Saigon Divers Club on Reclub and attending our offline monthly meet-ups in Ho Chi Minh City.
Living in the North? Consider joining our sister club, the Hanoi Diving Club.
Learn the PADI Dive Against Debris Course with Rumblefish Vietnam or other dive centres offering the course.
Learn underwater photography to be at the heart of the adventure and document our impact.
At home or the beach, choose to support brands with a clear pledge towards ocean conservation like Koraï (over 7% of their generated revenue is funding ocean stewardship)
Educate yourself about marine ecosystems and consider taking the free Greenfins Eco-diver training.
Start by understanding better our coral reefs.