Local resident discharges waste directly to the sea in Ly Son Island of central Quang Ngai province. The central province of Quang Ngai plans to conserve 7,900ha of sea off Ly Son Island and then give it Global Geo-Park status. — Photo vov.vn

QUANG NGAI (VNS) — The central province of Quang Ngai plans to conserve 7,900ha of sea off Ly Son Island and then give it Global Geo-Park status.

Director of the provincial culture, sports and tourism department, Nguyen Dang Vu, said the aim was to protect precious shipwrecks near the island, 30km from the mainland and turn the area into a tourist attraction.

He said ancient trading vessels dating back to the 10th century had been found in the sea.

"The plan also helps protect coral reefs and aquatic life for future generations of locals and tourists," he said.

The province has allocated VND36.4 billion (US$1.7 million) to set up the area over the next four years.

Vu said the department had been compiling scientific data and documents necessary to turn the area into a Global Geo-Park.

Two years ago, two trading vessels dating back 700 years were found in the waters off Binh Chau Commune.

Fragments of ceramic ware and stone statuary ware from an old shipwreck were also found in an excavation in deeply water near the islet of An Binh, 3km from Ly Son Island.

Archaeologists believed the ceramic pieces were from the 15th century, while the stone fragments are thought to come from the Champa Kingdom in the 13th century.

The Doan Anh Duong company assigned by Quang Ngai authorities to survey the area, discovered a large coral reef and strange stone arch under the water.

The arch is believed to have been formed by four volcanoes 250 million years ago.

A director of the company, Doan Sung, said a 50sq.km area of coral reefs could be developed as an eco-tourism and scuba diving site. — VNS