Environment

Vietnam joins global efforts to protect sea turtles

The Vietnamese Government has engaged in various international commitments to enhance management and preserve vulnerable and endangered marine turtles, said Director General of the Directorate of Fisheries Tran Dinh Luan on October 21.
Vietnam joins global efforts to protect sea turtles ảnh 1The 8th Meeting of Signatories to The Indian Ocean - Southeast Asia (IOSEA) Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding in Da Nang city on October 21 (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang (VNA) – The Vietnamese Governmenthas engaged in various international commitments to enhance management andpreserve vulnerable and endangered marine turtles, said Director General of theDirectorate of Fisheries Tran Dinh Luan on October 21.

He made the statement at the 8th Meeting of Signatories to TheIndian Ocean - Southeast Asia (IOSEA) Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding(MoU), saying Vietnam has engaged in the IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU in 2001, theMoU on ASEAN Sea Turtle Conservation and Protection in 2012, and the Conventionon International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in 1994.

Sea turtles have roamed the oceans for millions of years. Scientists recogniseseven living species of sea turtles, namely green turtle (Chelonia mydas),hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea),loggerhead (Caretta caretta), kem’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), flatback(Natator depressa), and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea). They are now on theverge of extinction.

There are five marine turtle species in Vietnam: green sea turtle, hawksbill,olive ridley, loggerhead and leatherback. These species have been put in theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of ThreatenedSpecies, and the Vietnam Red Data Book.

At the event, Vietnam recommended Con Dao National Park as a member of theIOSEA Marine Turtle Site Network. This is a vivid illustration for the VietnameseGovernment’s commitment to preserving the rare animal, and preventing poachingtowards sustainable and responsible seafood exploitation.

At the five-day meeting held in Da Nang city, experts from 33 member states ofthe IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU, and representatives from 50 domestic and foreignnon-governmental organisations are discussing challenges and future trends insea turtle preservation work, guiding signatories and competent parties tocarry out management and preservation plan during 2020-2024, and focusing onplastic waste, climate change and sea turtle varieties./.
VNA
#sea turtles #endangered marine turtles #IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU #MoU on ASEAN Sea Turtle Conservation and Protection #Con Dao National Park #IOSEA Marine Turtle Site Network #updated Vietnam news #Vietnamplus #Vietnam News Agency
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Rare sea turtle rescued in Ba Ria – Vung Tau

Rare sea turtle rescued in Ba Ria – Vung Tau

Forest rangers of the Con Dao National Park in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, on July 4, rescued a rare sea turtle trapped by plastic waste in the park’s conserved sea area.
Endangered baby turtles released to sea

Endangered baby turtles released to sea

Baby turtles (Cheloniidae) hatched from eggs that had been moved to a beach in the Cham Islands' Marine Protected Area (MPA) were released into the ocean last weekend by the MPA's management board.

See more

A rare turtle is transported to Cuc Phuong National Park for care and rehabilitation ahead of its eventual release back into the wild. (Photo published by VNA)

Rare turtles returned to Vietnam under CITES

The shipment includes several endangered Vietnamese species such as the Indochinese box turtle (Cuora galbinifrons), Bourret’s box turtle (Cuora bourreti), keeled box turtle (Cuora mouhotii), and black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda spengleri), all considered highly endangered and increasingly threatened in the wild by habitat destruction, poaching, and illegal trade.

Representatives of the Ngoc Lam Border Guard Station under the Nghe An Border Guard Command and Son Lam commune's police hand over a pangolin voluntarily surrendered by a local resident to the wildlife conservation centre at Pu Mat National Park. (Photo: VNA)

Nghe An residents voluntarily hand over rare pangolins for conservation

On May 11, the Quy Chau Forest Protection Department, along with local police and authorities, took in a critically endangered pangolin, handed over by a resident. The animal was discovered a day earlier by Thai Doan Tuan, from Viet Huong village in Quy Chau commune, after it wandered into his garden. Recognising it as a protected Sunda pangolin, he contacted authorities for assistance.

A 2kg pangolin is released back into the wild at the Pu Huong Nature Reserve on May 6, 2026. (Photo published by VNA)

Nghe An releases rare pangolin back to the wild

Pangolins, scaly mammals capable of curling into a ball for self-defence, are classified as critically endangered and are strictly protected under both Vietnamese and international law.

At the working session (Photo: Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration)

Vietnam, Sri Lanka share experience in hydrometeorology

Both sides expressed confidence that continued dialogue and knowledge-sharing will deepen cooperation in hydrometeorology, helping enhance disaster response capacity and climate change adaptation in the years ahead.

Chac Den Cave was recently discovered in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in Quang Tri province. (Photo: VNA)

26 new caves discovered in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park

The new findings comprise several large caves with complex structures and high scientific value, including Thien Cung Cave, measuring 4,206 metres – the longest cave identified during the survey, Nuoc Lan Cave (2,721 metres), Ma Dom Cave (1,257 metres) and Cha Ngheo Cave (583 metres).

Nine Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) have been released back into the wild at the Bach Ma National Park. (Photo: VNA)

Nine endangered Sunda pangolins returned to nature in Hue

Before their release, the animals had undergone quarantine, care, rehabilitation and close monitoring by technical staff and veterinarians to ensure they were in good health and capable of returning to their natural habitat.

Thailand ready to share experience with Vietnam in green urban development: officials

Thailand ready to share experience with Vietnam in green urban development: officials

Thailand is ready to share its experience and successful models in green urban development with Vietnam, as the two countries share many similar characteristics, including rapid urbanisation, traffic congestion, flooding, canal networks and growing demand for greener public spaces, Thai officials have said in recent interviews with the Vietnam News Agency.

This May marks the third time the country’s largest wildlife bird photography competition has been held. (Photo: Vietnam BirdRace 2026 organising committee)

Vietnam BirdRace 2026 to attract hundreds of photographers worldwide

Participating teams, each comprising three to four members, are tasked with photographing as many wild bird species as possible within the official competition period. While artistic quality is not mandatory, images must be clear enough for species identification, ensuring authenticity and avoiding any disturbance to natural habitats.