VietNamNet Bridge – Even though sea turtles are listed on the endangered species list and are in urgent need of protection, many Vietnamese fishermen capture these rare animals for the big profits to be made.   

Sea turtles illegally traded at Sa Ky port in Quang Ngai Province.

All species of sea turtles in Vietnam are on the brink of extinction, with their natural environments and the beaches where they lay their eggs have been decreased due to human activities.

Scientists said that Vietnam has five species of sea turtles, of which four lay their eggs in the sandy beaches of Tonkin Bay, the central coastal region and some islands.

However, illegal capture of sea turtles is still rampant in several areas, causing further threat. Shops trading in sea turtle products are still openly operating in major cities such as Hanoi, HCM City and Vung Tau City.

Recently there has been a sharp increase in the demand for sea turtle products, as many believe that such products have medical uses. Turtle meat and eggs are considered delicacies.

There are also a number of beliefs, such as burying a turtle in a house's foundation bringing about good luck.

As a result, the prices of sea turtles and the products made from them has gone up to millions of VND per kilo.

Due to the high demand and high potential profits, many Vietnamese fishermen have been spending a lot of time and money on capturing turtles illegally.

As sea turtles often live in underwater caves or coral reefs, many sea turtle hunters who are not equipped with standard diving tools have died during their search.

Recently, a ship carrying 14 fishermen from Binh Chau Commune in central Quang Ngai Province went missing during one such hunting expedition.

Over the past year, Sa Ky port in Binh Chau Commune has become famous for the illegal sea turtle trade despite efforts to crack down by local police and border forces.

Police in Quang Ngai Province are coordinating with relevant local agencies to investigate into a case involving 94 dead and frozen sea turtles being transported on a truck on October 24.

The vehicle’s owner said he bought the animals from fishermen at Sa Ky port.

Previously, border soldiers in Quang Ngai Province caught Nguyen Van Tho, 38, from Binh Chau Commune while he was carrying 117 sea turtles with nearly two tonnes of turtles, apparently headed for sales in Binh Dinh Province.

The situation has brought the spotlight onto the illegal capture and trade sea turtles, and has forced relevant agencies to step up their regulatory measures.

DTriNews/ANTD