An unusually large number of sea turtles have recently been found in lagoons and coastal areas of central Thua Thien-Hue province.

On March 12, fisherman Nguyen Hung from Quang Loi commune of Quang Dien district found a 12kg turtle, which is 50cm long and 40cm wide, in Tam Giang lagoon.

It was identified as a green turtle, scientifically named Chelonia mydas, an endangered species in Vietnam. Local authorities and Hung’s family are working to release the turtle back into the wild.

On December 19, 2014, fisherman Ho Duc Lam from Loc Vinh commune of Phu Loc district caught a rare turtle about 90cm in length and weighing 50-55kg near Chan May port. The animal was also freed into the sea.

Nguyen Quang Vinh Binh, Head of the province’s Sub-department of Aquatic Resources Exploitation and Protection, said 10 sea turtles have been caught in local lagoons and coastal areas recently, and nine of which have been rescued and released.

It takes 30-40 years for a turtle to mature and be able to breed and female turtles will only lay eggs at the beach they were born on, while male turtles will never return to shore. Their breeding season is from the second to the sixth lunar month (roughly between March and July).

The sub-department is planning to ask local universities to study the phenomenon and enhance communication activities to raise public awareness of turtle protection.-VNA