Inspiring dreams of safeguarding our blue oceans

The event took place at Sao Anh Duong Maple Bear Canada Primary & Secondary School in Tay Ho (Hanoi), aiming to disseminate the contest's objectives to a diverse community of students, teachers, staff, and parents. This initiative seeks to promote the protection of marine biodiversity, emphasizing the responsible role of Vietnamese youth in preserving the sea and safeguarding endangered, precious, and rare species, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of aquaculture.

Addressing the launching ceremony, Mr. Duong Van Cuong, Deputy Director of the Fisheries Surveillance Department, highlighted that this contest is not merely a drawing competition but an annual activity integral to raising community awareness about the role and responsibility of individuals in marine conservation. It underscores explicitly the preservation of endangered and rare aquatic species. Additionally, the contest provides a platform for students to showcase their artistic abilities and express their dreams of a blue ocean – the habitat of marine creatures. It aims to disseminate messages and actions focused on protecting aquatic resources and encourages the exploration of initiatives to safeguard aquatic resources in local coastal areas, including through media products.

“The contest will span two months, allowing one month for participants to compose and submit entries to the Organizing Committee and another month for the Jury to evaluate, select winning works, and award prizes. While the contest’s duration is relatively short, fueled by a deep understanding and love for aquatic species and, above all, a shared desire to protect the marine ecosystem and preserve endangered and rare aquatic species, we anticipate active participation with numerous high-quality entries. These entries will convey meaningful messages for marine conservation and protecting endangered, precious, and rare aquatic species.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai, Principal of Sao Anh Duong Maple Bear Canada Primary & Secondary School in Tay Ho (Hanoi), expressed her perspective: “Sow words and reap actions; sow actions and reap habits. We believe that if each school, particularly those implementing blue ocean protection programs, and, in general, mother nature protection, is consistently carried out, we will undoubtedly shape future generations with habits and lifestyles that respect nature.”

“We hope that the Fisheries Department, along with other nature conservation organizations, will organize numerous contests and initiatives similar to ‘I Draw a Blue Ocean - Home of Marine Species’ to engage students from a young age. We aspire for this program to extend across schools nationwide,” emphasized Ms. Hoai.

Reflecting on the contest, Thanh Thao, a student from class 3M1 at Sao Anh Duong Maple Bear Canada Primary & Secondary School in Tay Ho (Hanoi), shared her thoughts: “I believe everyone loves the ocean and nature. While there are a few who may harm them, I trust that through this painting contest, everyone will come together to take action and protect the ocean.”

Within the framework of the launching ceremony, both teachers and students from Sao Anh Duong Maple Bear Canada Primary & Secondary School in Tay Ho (Hanoi) enthusiastically participated in the drawing competition during the event. Consequently, many students promptly completed their works, submitting them to the Program Organizing Committee this morning.

Dong Mi Mi, a first-grade student at Sao Anh Duong Maple Bear Canada Primary & Secondary School in Tay Ho (Hanoi), shared the inspiration behind her drawing: “I illustrated this picture with seaweed, dolphins, jellyfish, stingrays, and children playing with sea creatures. I hope the ocean will always remain blue and clean.”

The contest ‘I Draw a Blue Ocean - Home of Marine Species’ is held from November 10, 2023 to December 9, 2023. The closing ceremony and announcement of the winning entries are anticipated at the end of December 2023.

The paintings convey a spectrum of emotions, stories, thoughts, and dreams encompassing various aspects of the theme, such as activities commonly occurring in marine protected areas, necessary endeavors contributing to the establishment of sustainable marine protected areas, recommended and discouraged actions within these areas, efforts to safeguard sea turtles, marine mammals, endangered, precious, and rare aquatic species. Furthermore, the artworks express solutions, ideas, and initiatives fostering the protection of aquatic resources in coastal areas, the preservation of rare and endangered aquatic species, and the responsible exploitation of seafood under regulations. The overarching objective is to articulate essential dreams and actions leading to the sustainable development of marine protected areas and the regeneration and growth of endangered, precious, and rare species.

- Entries can be submitted by mail or in-person to:

An Viet Technology Development Investment Joint Stock Company (Room 2206 CT5A Van Khe Urban Area, La Khe, Ha Dong, Hanoi). Phone: 0867719735.

Or the Fisheries Inspection Department (No. 10 Nguyen Cong Hoan, Ba Dinh, Hanoi). Email address for digital entries: nmpa.vietnam@gmail.com.

- The winning entries will be featured on the marine conservation website: http://www.nmpavietnam.com as part of the outreach efforts.

For further information, please contact:

Department of Aquatic Resources Protection and Development; Phone: 024.32373284.

Or Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Linh, Specialist of the Department of Aquatic Resources Protection and Development, Department of Fisheries Surveillance (No. 10 Nguyen Cong Hoan, Ba Dinh, Hanoi).

Phone: 0988565869; email: nmpa.vietnam@gmail.com or linhptt83@gmail.com.