Vigilant Coast Guard members save endangered turtles in Quang Ngai

August 21, 2016 - 09:00

Vigilant Coast Guard members save endangered turtles from poachers

Go forth and prosper: Members of the Coast Guard from Bình Hải Station examine six sea turtles before releasing them into the sea.— Tuổi Trẻ Photo Trần Mai
Viet Nam News

Members of the Coast Guard of Quảng Ngãi Province recently rescued six sea turtles that had been illegally transported by a group of local residents. The turtles were weak but still alive.

“The first thing we did was to soak the turtles in sea water,” Major Ngô Doãn Tú, deputy head of Bình Hải Coast Guard Station, said.

“The turtles, which face risk of extinction, are listed in the Red Book. We’re always happy about rescuing them because we know we’re protecting marine biodiversity.”

Phạm Châu, a 55-year-old resident of the commune, was fined VNĐ4.5 million after he was found transporting four turtles. 

“I’ve recognised my mistake. Now, I’ll inform the Coast Guard force whenever a sea turtle is captured,” Châu said.

Lieutenant Colonel Võ Đức, chief of the Bình Hải Coast Guard Station, said that his soldiers had visited households every week to educate locals in the central coastal commune about marine conservation.

Võ Bông, an 85-year-old fisherman, said the Coast Guard had been friendly and the information easy to understand.

“I’ve told my family not to catch marine creatures protected by the State,” Bông said.

Phùng Đình Toàn, deputy head of Quảng Ngãi Province’s division for exploitation and protection of marine resources, said the Bình Hải Coast Guard Station had contributed significantly to the protection of the sea environment.

He said that recently software chips had been attached to the bodies of 10 turtles before being released to the sea. — VNS

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