Let
Let’s protect sea turtles on Hon Cau beach
BTO -
To raise public awareness about the value and importance of marine conservation
and sea turtles protections, Hon Cau Marine Protected Area (Tuy Phong) is
calling for volunteers to join the protection of sea turtles on Hon Cau isle.
Accordingly, everyone has equal opportunities to participate in the patrol and
protection of sea turtles at spawning grounds on the Isle.
Hon Cau
Isle, covering an area of about 140
hectares,
still retains its pristine character with many fine white sand beaches with
clear blue water. The isle possesses 234 species of coral, 324 species of
fishes, 119 species of mollusks, 32 species of large echinoderms and 46 species
of crustaceans and reptiles, including many important species and high economic
value such as ornate spiny lobster,
long-legged spiny lobster, green turtle and hawksbill. However, due to
unreasonable fishing and many other impacts, the sea flora and fauna here are
increasingly depleted.
According
to statistics, there are 34 species of aquatic creatures on Hon Cau which are listed as endangered precious and rare aquatic species. Of which, 1 species
and 11 species are in extremely-high and high extinction levels, respectively.
Besides, Tuy Phong waters in general and Hon Cau isle areas in particular are
also considered as sea turtles' breeding-grounds during their breeding season. Since
2013, the management board of Hon Cau Marine Protected Area (MPA) has discovered
10 individuals of sea turtles arriving on the island to breed. Since then, sea
turtles get on the isle for laying eggs every year. Members of MPA have
successfully protected and hatched hundreds of young turtles to return to the
sea.
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Volunteers participate in protecting the
environmental environment in Hon Cau. |
Hon Cau
isle area is also a traditional fishing ground for fishermen. Although the
Management Board of MPA regularly propagates, prevents and handles with many
violations, there are still some illegal fishing actions by fishing-nets in the
reserve. Such actions are affected sea turtles as they are caught by fishermen's
nets in the breeding season.
Hence, to
raise the public awareness about the value and importance of marine conservation
and sea turtles protection, Hon Cau MPA is calling upon volunteers to come to
the island and join in protecting sea turtles. All volunteers can take chances
to participate in sea turtle patrol and protection activities at the spawning
grounds on the island.
 |
Yen Phi is taking care and protecting sea turtle
eggs. |
Besides,
the management board of MPA will provide a training course for a team of
volunteers so that they can be qualified and knowledgeable enough to support and
accompany with its members in the protection of sea turtles in particular and
the protection of Hon Cau sea environment in general.
Ms. Luu
Yen Phi, the girl who is considered as a "midwife" of the sea turtles at Hon Cau
MPA, said: the breeding season of sea turtles usually lasts from May to October
every year. At this time, the reserve is calling for people to visit the island
to participate in the sea turtles protection program. The participants’ jobs may
vary from doctors, engineers, businessmen, office workers, soldiers, students,
domestic and foreign tourists, or local people ... but all have the same points
of view: “Take interest in protecting the environment and endangered species
such as sea turtles”.
Because
the patrol and protection of sea turtles take place mostly at night, it is
really a hard-working task, requiring only passionate and healthy volunteers to
cope with the deprived conditions as well as the harsh climate on the Isle.
“This
year, we will choose about 40 or 50 volunteers from more than 1,000 entries to
join the sea turtle protection program. During the volunteer time, many
energetic and passionate volunteers come to Hon Cau Isle to accompany with
conservational staff to protect sea turtles and improve the ecological
environment here. The living standards on this isle are still difficult but we
cannot give up the job we have chosen. This June is the peak season for the
turtle to lay eggs and groups of volunteers will be there to give proper
support. Besides sharing work, the new-comers will also bring more joy from the
land to motivate us”, excitedly shared Ms. Yen Phi as she was thinking about the
breeding season of sea turtles.
Translated by Ul (Source: Binh Thuan Newspaper)