Launching a communication campaign to conserve sea turtle nesting grounds

Attending the event were Mr. Tran Van Vinh, Deputy Head of Binh Dinh Fisheries Sub-Department, Mr. Erik BillGren, Director of Avani Quy Nhon Resort, representatives of the Union of Science and Technology Associations of Binh Dinh, Quy Nhon City People's Committee, Binh Dinh Fisheries Association and 70 people from associations, members of community organizations protecting aquatic resources and people of Nhon Hai commune.

Mr. Tran Van Vinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries, launched a communication campaign to preserve sea turtle nesting grounds.

This activity aims to raise awareness, equip knowledge and call on people to act together to conserve sea turtles, their habitat and breeding grounds; change behavior and promote a lifestyle in harmony with nature; do not hunt and use products originating from rare wildlife; limit the use of plastic bags and disposable plastic products, promote the building of a green economy , circular economy and sustainable development.

The communication campaign was organized with a variety of activities to help people see the importance of sea turtles to marine biodiversity such as exhibitions of propaganda posters on environmental protection, marine ecosystems, sea turtle and coral conservation, and anti-plastic waste pollution; broadcasting in village roads and alleys, cleaning the coast; hanging ropes, placing markers and signs at sea turtle nesting grounds in Mui Con area, Hai Dong village, Nhon Hai commune...

Nhon Hai is the only locality in the province where sea turtles come to lay eggs. And it is the only locality in the country where sea turtles lay eggs near residential areas. In 2021 , the Nhon Hai Commune Aquatic Resources Protection Community Organization relocated and protected 5 sea turtle egg nests with 476 eggs, of which 3 nests were successfully hatched with a rate of 53%. Since the appearance of turtles on the beach of Hai Dong village laying eggs and baby turtles were born, not only the local government and people but also functional sectors, non- governmental organizations and people across the country have been very happy and excited.

String up ropes and put up signs to inform people and help preserve sea turtle nesting grounds, and avoid making noise during sea turtle nesting season.

Mr. Tran Van Vinh, Deputy Head of Binh Dinh Fisheries Department, said that Binh Dinh is currently a tourist destination in the South Central Coast region, and ecotourism activities are always popular. Therefore, the province always focuses on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation in tourism activities; prioritizes promoting ecotourism combined with conservation; Nhon Hai (Quy Nhon City) is blessed by nature with invaluable natural resources. The sea area with rich and diverse aquatic resources includes coral reef ecosystems, seaweed, seagrass beds and sea turtles. Therefore, we must know how to preserve and develop what nature has bestowed.

In 2022, Quy Nhon City People's Committee issued Document No. 3174, dated September 20, 2022, agreeing on the Temporary Planning Plan for Nhon Hai Commune Beach. Accordingly, the total planning area along the beach on the water surface is 14.67 hectares, divided into 3 areas: Boat anchorage area, fishing gear and basket storage area; Tourist service beach bathing area and Turtle breeding area located at Con cape, Hai Dong village, Nhon Hai commune. In which, the turtle breeding area has an area of 9,856.19 m2, prohibiting all swimming, entertainment and recreational activities in this area only to isolate the area for turtles to lay eggs. On the basis of the approved Temporary Planning Plan, Nhon Hai Commune People's Committee will develop Nhon Hai beach planning along the embankment to serve tourism development associated with biodiversity conservation and sustainable community livelihood development.

Currently, sea turtle nesting grounds in Nhon Hai are also gradually disappearing due to tourism development. Therefore, planning to conserve sea turtle nesting grounds is really necessary. We are really happy that the People's Committee of Quy Nhon City and the locality of Nhon Hai commune have paid attention to planning to conserve sea turtle nesting grounds in the sea area of Mui Con, Hai Dong village, Nhon Hai commune. At the same time, there is the cooperation of Avani Quy Nhon resort; Antanra Quy Nhon Villas in sea turtle conservation work. Hopefully, in the near future, many sea turtles will return to Nhon Hai to lay eggs, thereby developing eco-tourism and educational tourism in the locality.

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