Hainan Province, China – The South China Sea, home to 90 percent of China’s sea turtle population, plays a crucial role in the survival of green sea turtles. These islands serve as vital nesting grounds, particularly the Xisha Islands, where these turtles return to lay their eggs after reaching adulthood.
Li Yupei, director of the Marine Protected Area Administration in Sansha City, Hainan, explained the significance of this behavior. “Sea turtles have a unique habit — they return to the place where they were born to lay eggs when they reach adulthood,” Li said. “By protecting the beaches where they were born, we ensure that generations of sea turtles will continue to return.”
In 2017, a dedicated turtle protection center was established on North Island, part of the Xisha Islands. The center, staffed by experts from Chinese universities and local personnel, focuses on safeguarding the turtles and their habitats while studying the green sea turtle populations.
Global populations of green sea turtles have sharply declined since the 1980s due to marine pollution, human activity, and climate change. In response, the city of Sansha, which consists of over 280 islands, reefs, and atolls, has set up a 24-hour monitoring system to protect endangered species, including green sea turtles.
“Once the turtles approach the islands, the cameras capture images, which contribute to ongoing studies and conservation efforts,” said Li.
An essential task of turtle patrol officer Yu Yangfei is to locate nests during the breeding season, from June to September. He ensures the safe monitoring and conservation of the eggs, guiding the hatchlings safely back to the ocean.
“The survival rate of sea turtles is very low. From a clutch of dozens of eggs, only about one in a thousand hatchlings survive to adulthood,” Yu said.
Since the center’s establishment, Yu and his team have rescued over 280 green sea turtles and facilitated the release of tens of thousands of hatchlings into the sea. Their efforts have led to the discovery of nearly 2,000 nests containing sea turtle eggs on the Xisha Islands, demonstrating the tangible success of the ongoing conservation programs.
Through these continued efforts, China is securing a brighter future for the green sea turtle population, contributing to the global preservation of these vital marine creatures.
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