The change of zooplankton communities in three areas for co-management of coastal fisheries in Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City

Zooplankton plays a role as a living food source in the food web of water bodies, determining the growth and development of many aquatic species, especially at the larval stage. The study has recorded 52 species of 29 genera, 21 families, 6 classes, 4 phylum and 7 types of larvae in 28 sampling sites of 3 areas for co-management of coastal fisheries. The density of plankton individuals ranged from 49300 individuals/m3 to 272812 individuals/ m3. The number of species and density of plankton individuals in Thanh An area is higher than in the other areas (Long Hoa and Can Thanh). The similarity of the zooplankton communities showed that at 40% of the sampling sites, they were divided into 2 groups as follows: group 1 of water bodies in the co-management model area in Long Hoa and Can Thanh, group 2 included the water bodies of Thanh An area. The Copepoda class is the highest proportion in the sampling sites, showing that it will be an abundant food source for the growth and development of aquatic species that are cultured or live naturally in this ecosystem. It is also an important biological factor that needs to be managed and conserved to create a natural habitat for the sustainability of fish stocks in the area.