Footage captured by an action camera shows sea turtles appearing in the waters of Hon Mun, Nha Trang Bay (Khanh Hoa Province), signaling positive environmental improvements.

This information was reported by the Nha Trang Bay Management Board to the Nha Trang City People’s Committee and Khanh Hoa Province after a survey assessing the current state of the sea turtle protection zone at Bai Bang Lon.

A conservation officer from the management board set up an action camera, which recorded sea turtles in the area on October 4. The appearance of sea turtles is considered a positive sign, indicating that the marine environment in Nha Trang Bay is improving, according to the Nha Trang Bay Management Board.

Sea turtles typically only appear in areas with clean water, creating favorable conditions for reproduction. These creatures go through various habitats during their life cycle, starting from coastal sandy beaches, growing up in coral reef areas, and eventually drifting along ocean currents in the open sea.

Sea turtles are rare in coastal waters, as they require clean environments and abundant food sources. It takes 30-50 years for a sea turtle to reach maturity, and on average, only one in 1,000 turtles survives to this stage. Their migration process can last for months as they search for food during the day and rest in coral reefs at night.

Nha Trang Bay covers nearly 250 km² and is one of the 16 marine protected areas in the country. It is home to many coral reefs and some of the most diverse ecosystems in Vietnam. Decades ago, turtles frequently came ashore to lay eggs on coastal beaches and several islands.

In 2022, VietNamNet reported that the Nha Trang Bay Management Board proposed designating a protected nesting area for sea turtles at Bai Bang Lon and Dam Tre to preserve this endangered species. This initiative is part of the endangered turtle conservation program approved by the Prime Minister.

Xuan Ngoc