Turtle hatchlings from Kyeintali beach conservation zones released into the sea during Thingyan

Narinjara News, 17 April 2023

With an aim to prevent extinction of turtle species, its conservation activities were carried out in the Rakhine region during the Thingyan festival.

On 15 April, 75 Olive Ridleys turtle hatchlings were released into the sea from the turtle conservation zone under coastal fishery management areas at Kyeintali of Gwa township in southern part of Rakhine. Next day, 67 more hatchlings were released.

Total number of turtle hatchlings released from these turtle conservation zones during April reached 477.

The chief of Kyeintali region offshore turtle conservation zone, managed by Fishery Cooperative Management Association, U Thant Zin Oo (alias Ko Thar Gyi) confirmed the information.

Earlier on 8 April, 145 turtle babies were released into the water from Ponnyet and Jaingyi conservation zones. Later on the night of 9 April, 46 hatchlings naturally went into the water. It went on with 76 (on 11 April) and 68 (13 April).

24 miles of Kyeintali region's coastline, managed by coastal fisheries cooperative management, is divided into three zones and designated as a turtle conservation zone.

Three zones are named as Ponnyet Turtle Conservation Zone, Punnlin Maw Conservation Zone and Jai Gyi Turtle Conservation Zone.

Olive Ridley's turtle is the smallest sea turtle in Myanmar and is an endangered species. It has a small head and olive-colored back.

U Thant Zin Oo informed that Rakhine sea turtles are mainly facing threats from the fishing nets and plastics dumped by humans in the sea water.

Among seven species of sea turtles across the world, six species are found in southeast Asia. Five species (Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Leatherbacks Turtle and Olive Ridley's Turtle) are found in Myanmar.

In the Rakhine coastal areas, sea turtles are often caught by the fishing nets. Moreover, other threats including marine debris also cause regular deaths to the turtles. Increasing sale of sea turtles and their eggs has also been growing as a matter of concern for the conservation activists.