Quang Tri Ventures into Carbon Credit Sales Through Seaweed Farming

According to Ha Sy Dong, who is the deputy chair of the Quang Tri People’s Committee, the province is able to sell carbon credits not only from its natural forests but also from the 26,000 hectares of certified planted forests managed under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Vietnam Forest Certification Scheme (VFCS/PEFC).

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is tasked with analyzing the condition and carbon storage potential of the seaweed beds along Quang Tri’s coastline, highlighting a promising avenue for future carbon credit sales.

Experts emphasize the essential role of seaweed in the marine environment, contributing significantly to the nutrient cycle. The economic value of seaweed ecosystems is estimated at around $3.8 trillion, translating to approximately $212,000 per hectare annually.

Seaweed ecosystems are also crucial for climate change mitigation, retaining about 19.9 billion tons of organic carbon—up to three times more than forest plants in equivalent areas.

In 2022, carbon credit prices from seaweed ranged from $11 to $35, with projections suggesting a rise to $60 by 2050, exceeding typical carbon credit prices by $8 to $10.

Dong noted that advancing seaweed farming could create new revenue streams through participation in international carbon credit exchange programs, fulfilling Quang Tri’s emission reduction commitments while promoting sustainable economic development.

A recent study shows that Quang Tri is home to two seaweed species, Zostera japonica and Ruppia maritima, thriving across 400 hectares, primarily in the Cua Tung and Cua Viet marine areas.

In the Cua Tung region, robust seaweed beds extend about 800-900 meters long and 30 meters wide on the northern bank of the Ben Hai River, while the southern bank features a larger bed measuring 1,200-1,500 meters in length and 20-35 meters wide.

Similarly, in the Cua Viet region, a dense seaweed bed measuring 1.5-2 kilometers in length and 100 meters wide flourishes, showcasing up to 100% coverage.

However, a 2016 study revealed a significant decline in seagrass populations in Quang Tri and surrounding coastal areas following the Formosa pollution crisis, which affected marine life and led to severe environmental damage.

The area of seagrass in Cua Tung has plummeted to just 1.5 hectares with only 50% coverage, while Cua Viet’s seagrass is limited to small patches primarily found in aquaculture ponds.

A report from 2021 indicated that in the Con Co island area, only Halophila ovalis was found, with very low density and coverage, indicating an absence of substantial seagrass populations.

Dong highlighted that seaweed, alongside coral reefs and mangrove forests, forms one of the three key coastal ecosystems providing vital ecological services and benefits to the environment.

The marine environment is shaped by natural forces like waves and currents. Seagrass helps mitigate these impacts, offering shelter for marine life and maintaining water quality through filtration, while its roots stabilize coastal sediments and prevent erosion.

Experts estimate that each hectare of seaweed can render ecosystem services worth about $19,000 annually.