RESEARCH ON CURRENT SITUATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOLUTIONS TO PROMOTE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PAYMENT FOR FOREST ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR MANGROVES IN CA MAU PROVINCE

Abstract

The research on current situation and development of solutions to promote the implementation of payments for forest environmental services for mangroves in Ca Mau province was conducted to assit Ca Mau province in expanding the application of PFES policy for mangroves in the province. Inputs for the study were collected through secondary documents and consultations with stakeholders in Ngoc Hien district, Ca Mau province. The study findings indicate that: the implementation of PFES for mangroves in Dat Mui and Kien Vang PFMBs is facing both advantages and challenges. In terms of advantages, both PFMBs have good experience in implementing PFES in aquaculture sector; the expansion of PFES implementation in two PFMBs has received consensus from all stake holders, including environmental service uses and the establishment of Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund  is under review and may soon be realized. In terms of challenges, the legal framework for applying PFES to mangrove remains incomplete; the effectiveness of pilot PFES in aquaculture sector in Cà Mau is still unclear and the technical capacity of stakeholders remains limited. The study also found that out of three mangroves’ environmental services eligible for PFES, only aquaculture supporting services can be applied immediately to aquaculture enterprises cooperating with households in organic shrimp production with payment level established based on the actual revenue of the enterprises from organic shrimp stock provided by the households. The implementation of PFES for carbon storage and sequestration services entirely depends on the voluntary cooperation of large domestic or foreign emission-producing entities; if applicable, it can be piloted with large emission-producing entities in Ca Mau province with the payment level of 5 USD/tCO₂. The implementation of PFES for landscape beauty service has not been implemented yet due to the absence of tourism and recreational activities within the two PFMBs.