Sea turtle caught in "ghost net" in Ly Son, is it an endangered species?

On May 5, the leader of the Ly Son Marine Protected Area Management Board (Ly Son district, Quang Ngai province) confirmed that a green sea turtle caught in a "ghost net" (a term referring to a waste net thrown into the sea by fishermen) was seriously injured and was discovered and rescued by fisherman Ngo Van Minh. Photo: Tien Phong.

After bringing the green sea turtle onto the boat, Mr. Minh used a knife to cut the net that was tightening around its body. Realizing that the two front limbs were constricted by the net, with severe injuries and the two hind limbs were scratched from struggling to escape the net, Mr. Minh quickly informed the Management Board of Ly Son Marine Protected Area to receive and treat the rare turtle's injuries. Photo: Tien Phong.

According to Mr. Huynh Ngoc Dung - Director of the Ly Son Marine Reserve Management Board, the 12 kg turtle's wound was very serious, indicating that it had been caught in the net for at least 7 days. After treating the wound, the Ly Son Marine Reserve Management Board is monitoring its health and will release the turtle back into the ocean when conditions are right. Photo: Tien Phong.

The green sea turtle ( scientific name Chelonia mydas) is an endangered, rare species that is prioritized for protection, listed in the Vietnam Red Book, IUCN Red List and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Accordingly, this turtle species is strictly protected at both the national and international levels due to its high risk of extinction. Photo: Tien Phong.

The green sea turtle is the second largest sea turtle in the world , after the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). When fully grown, each green sea turtle weighs about 68 - 190 kg. Photo: Tien Phong.

However, some green sea turtles can weigh up to 230 kg. The carapace length of an adult turtle is about 1 - 1.2 m. The largest green sea turtle ever recorded had a carapace length of 1.53 m and weighed about 395 kg. Photo: inaturalist.

Green sea turtles are commonly found in tropical and subtropical waters, including those of Vietnam. Photo: baliwildlife.

Due to the high risk of extinction if not effectively protected, many international organizations such as WWF, IUCN, IAC… have been implementing many research programs, population recovery and conservation education. Photo: Théo Guillaume.