Nai Swamp
Location:
11°37'N, 109°02'E; 7 km Northeast of Phan Rang Town, Ninh Hai District, eastern Phu Khanh Province.
Area:
1,000 ha.
Altitude:
Sea level.
Biogeographical Province:
4.5.1.
Wetland type:
07, 08, 09 & 10.
Description of site:
A brackish coastal lagoon with an average depth of 6-7m, surrounded by brackish marshes, mangrove swamps, salt pans and shrimp ponds. The lagoon is connected to the sea by a canal some two km long and 500-800m wide. Fresh water enters the system via two canals at the north end of the lagoon. The wetland formerly included 130 ha of mangrove swamp, but most of this has now been cleared for salt pans and shrimp ponds.
Climatic conditions:
Tropical monsoonal climate with an average annual rainfall of 1,374 mm, a mean annual temperature of 26.4°C and a mean relative humidity of 81%.
Principal vegetation:
The mangrove forest is dominated by species of Aegiceras and Bruguiera. Gracilaria verrucosa is very common in shallow parts of the lagoon.
Land tenure:
Owned by the People's Committee of Phu Khanh Province.
Conservation measures taken:
None.
Conservation measures proposed:
 
Land use:
Fishing, aquaculture (fishes, shrimps and Gracilaria verrucosa) and salt production.
Possible changes in land use:
 
Disturbances and threats: None known.
Economic and social values: The lagoon and associated aquaculture ponds support a significant fishery, yielding about 46 metric tonnes of fish per year as well as large quantities of shrimps. Salt production is also very high, but production figures are not available. Gracilaria verrucosa is cultured for export.
Fauna: The area is known to be important for both resident and migratory waterbirds, but no details are available.
Special floral values: No information.
Research and facilities:  
Criteria for inclusion: 1b.
References:  
Source:
Le Dien Duc.