Let’s protect sea turtles on Hon Cau beach

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.

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)