Sea Turtle Nesting on Yongxing Island Signals Environmental Improvement

A significant discovery has been made on Yongxing Island, part of Sansha City in Hainan Province. Recent evidence indicates that a sea turtle came ashore to lay eggs on a beach near a local community. This marks the first such occurrence on the island in several years.

Upon discovering the signs, staff from the local marine protected area administration, along with turtle patrol members, visited the site. They identified a likely nesting location based on visible clues, including a large pit and disturbed sand. Chen Shan, a seasoned turtle patrol officer, used his extensive experience to pinpoint the general nesting area.

Chen explained that the trail patterns allowed them to determine the nest's location. He noted that the turtle likely came ashore about a week prior, and the hatchlings are expected to emerge in approximately 40 to 50 days. The Xisha Qundao, where Yongxing Island is located, is home to China's largest natural nesting ground for green sea turtles.

Sea turtles, a national first-class protected species, are crucial for maintaining ocean biodiversity. Conservation efforts have led to an increase in sea turtle sightings in the waters around the Xisha Qundao. This year, a total of 43 sea turtle nests have been recorded across the Xisha Qundao, with this being the first on Yongxing Island.

Yu Yangfei, a staff member with the local marine protected area administration, stated that there hasn't been a turtle nesting on Yongxing Island for nearly a decade. To protect the nest, they will mark it with a sign and increase patrols on other islands and reefs.