Asia's only sea turtle sanctuary marks 40 years of conservation efforts
發佈日期: 2025-06-02 22:00
TVB News
Asia's only sea turtle sanctuary is marking its 40th anniversary.
"Sea Turtle Bay" in Guangdong Province has been playing a crucial role in green sea turtle conservation research.
Five out of the world's seven sea turtle species can be found in China's waters, making conservation efforts here particularly crucial.
"Sea Turtle Bay" in Huizhou City, Guangdong Province, provides a perfect natural environment for sea turtles.
With its sandy seabeds and rocky reefs, rich in seaweed and marine life, it serves as an important breeding ground.
Green sea turtles mate and nest here every year between June and October.
Since successfully starting artificial breeding of green sea turtles in 2017, the centre has made remarkable progress.
Around 2,000 turtles have since been born each year, with the sanctuary releasing a large number of mature turtles into the wild.
Green sea turtles take an average of 33 years to reach sexual maturity, and only 60 to 70 percent of eggs successfully hatch.
The species also faces threats from fishing.
Over 300,000 sea turtles die each year after getting entangled in nets.
Local fishermen have become partners in the conservation efforts, bringing injured turtles they accidentally caught to the centre for treatment.
The sanctuary is investing in satellite tracking technology to better understand migration patterns of green sea turtles.
Researchers believe that protecting these ancient creatures requires both scientific innovation and greater public awareness.
