General inspection of floating rafts on Nha Trang Bay: Campaign to release 21 rare conchs back into the sea

Rare conch shells were discovered by authorities on floating rafts in Nha Trang Bay - Photo: Nha Trang Bay Management Board

On May 10, speaking with Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Dam Hai Van - Head of Nha Trang Bay Management Board - said that the unit had just coordinated with the Police Department for Investigation of Crimes on Corruption, Economy, Smuggling and Environment of Khanh Hoa Provincial Police to mobilize a floating raft on Tri Nguyen Island (Nha Trang City) to release 21 rare conchs into the sea.

According to Mr. Van, during the process of coordinating with relevant units to conduct a general inspection of all floating rafts in Nha Trang Bay after the incident of "a raft selling 1kg of cobra fish for 3.5 million VND", the authorities discovered a floating raft owner raising conch in cages to serve tourists.

Through investigation, the raft owner confirmed that he did not know that this was a species that was strictly prohibited from exploitation, so he voluntarily handed over the snails to the authorities to release them into the wild.

"All 21 conchs measuring 20 - 30cm, with a total weight of about 21kg, were released into the coral reef area of ​​Hon Mun strictly protected area," said Mr. Van.

Close-up of rare conch discovered on floating raft in Nha Trang Bay - Photo: Nha Trang Bay Management Board

The triton snail (scientific name Charonia tritonis, also known as the queen snail) is an aquatic species in group I in the endangered and rare list.

According to regulations, the State strictly prohibits the exploitation of species in Group I, except for the purposes of conservation, scientific research or international cooperation.

The snail has a cream-colored shell with many brown veins and prominent spiral lines. It lives on the soft bottom near coral reefs, at a depth of 20 - 30m.

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NGUYEN HOANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tong-kiem-tra-be-noi-tren-vinh-nha-trang-van-dong-tha-21-con-oc-tu-va-quy-hiem-ve-bien-2025051015205368.htm