VietNamNet Bridge – Quang Ngai provincial police agency last week found 94 endangered sea turtles, totaling over 1 tons in weight in a frozen truck.

The dead turtles were found in a small truck on National Highway 1A in Pho Cuong Commune, Duc Pho District of the central province of Quang Ngai, on the morning of October 25.

The sea turtles weigh between 5-20kg each.

Driver Vo Van Quang said he bought the endangered turtles from fishermen in Binh Chau Commune, Binh Son District of Quang Ngai. He was transporting the turtles to Binh Dinh province to sell at the price of VND7-12 million ($350-600)/turtle when the truck was checked by police.  

All seven species of sea turtles are listed in the IUCN Red List of endangered species. According to a report by Dr. Chu The Cuong from the Institute for Marine Resources and Environment titled "The conservation of sea turtles in Vietnam," sea turtle species are in critical declination in Vietnam.

Under Vietnamese laws, trade and use of sea turtles are banned.

Na Son