Three Bryde’s whales spotted hunting off Vũng Bồi in Gia Lai have highlighted the ecological richness of the Đề Gi estuary while underscoring the fishing communities’ longstanding culture of respecting and protecting the sea.
The recent sightings have drawn attention to the waters of Vũng Bồi in An Lương commune, where the whales have been seen feeding close to shore.
After images of a mother and calf surfaced, the latest sightings recorded three whales appearing together, their mouths open as they hunted amid swirling seabirds.
The spectacle has left local residents and visitors in awe of the area’s vibrant marine environment.
Vũng Bồi forms part of an ecological space connected to the Đề Gi estuary. Across the area are the fishing villages of An Quang Đông and An Quang Tây in Đề Gi commune, as well as Vũng Bồi and Vĩnh Lợi fishing hamlet in An Lương commune.
Although the communities are divided administratively, they share the same tides and estuary, along with generations of memories of making a living from the sea and a common culture rooted in respect for the ocean.
For local fishermen, whales are more than marine animals. Generations have reverently called them “Ông”, or the “Lord of the Sea”, believing they protect fishing boats, rescue people in distress and bring safety to voyages.
The return of “Ông” to the Vũng Bồi-Đề Gi waters is therefore seen not only as a joyful sight but also as a sign of good fortune from the sea.
That respect is reflected in the everyday practices of fishing communities around the Đề Gi estuary.
Fishermen know the currents, winds, fishing seasons and spawning grounds by heart. Such knowledge helps them navigate safely while reinforcing the importance of avoiding overfishing and protecting shared marine resources.
The communities of East An Quang, West An Quang and Vĩnh Lợi also maintain rich spiritual traditions linked to the sea.
Whale temples, fishermen’s prayer festivals and stories of whales rescuing people during storms have helped foster a sense of gratitude and humility toward the ocean.
Through festival drumbeats and prayers for favorable weather and safe journeys, generations have passed down a simple principle: the sea gives life, and people must protect it in return.
The appearance of three Bryde’s whales has added another reminder of that responsibility.
Residents and visitors can help protect the marine environment by avoiding attempts to chase whales for photographs or videos, keeping a safe distance from feeding areas, reducing noise and refraining from littering. Respecting marine life, in turn, represents a new measure of civility for modern fishing communities.
As Gia Lai enters a new phase of development, its identity extends beyond the forests, gongs, communal houses and epics associated with the Central Highlands. Its blue seas, lagoons, fishing villages, prayer festivals, whale worship and generations-old maritime communities are also part of the province’s cultural landscape.
The Đề Gi estuary is therefore more than a place where fishing boats depart and seafood is landed. It has become a symbol of Gia Lai’s maritime culture.
The ecological and cultural potential of the Vũng Bồi-Đề Gi area could support the development of eco-cultural tourism, allowing visitors to enjoy the coast and seafood while learning about fishing villages, prayer festivals, whale temples and the communities’ longstanding traditions of gratitude toward the sea.
But sustainable marine tourism depends on preserving the very qualities that attract visitors.
Protecting the sea means limiting the overexploitation of resources, preventing plastic waste from entering the water and avoiding short-term development that could undermine the coast’s natural beauty.
It also requires responsible codes of conduct for tourism, fishing, aquaculture and community activities along the shoreline.
Boat owners, fishermen and visitors can all play a role in protecting the Đề Gi estuary and keeping its waters blue for generations to come.
The three Bryde’s whales will eventually continue their journey across the ocean. But whenever they return to Vũng Bồi-Đề Gi, their presence offers a quiet reminder that the blue of the sea begins not only offshore, but also with the mindset of the communities that depend on it.
For the fishing villages, protecting today’s marine resources means ensuring that future generations can still see the fish return.