Sansha City, located in the southernmost part of Hainan Province, China, has made remarkable progress in marine conservation over recent years. The region boasts improved biodiversity, from vibrant coral reefs to a resurgence of endangered marine species, all thanks to dedicated local initiatives.
One of the standout successes is the protection of green sea turtles, a first-class protected species in China. This year alone, 20 turtle nests were discovered on the islands and reefs of the Xisha Islands within Sansha City. As the breeding season kicks off, local fishermen have intensified their monitoring efforts to boost the survival rates of hatchlings.
\"The monitoring system captures real-time information about turtles coming ashore to lay eggs and sends alert messages to our mobile phones,\" explains Yu Yangfei, a staff member from the city's Marine Reserve Administration. \"We usually visit the site with the fishermen the next morning to verify if the turtles have actually laid eggs.\"
Over the past five years, natural nestings by green sea turtles in Sansha have exceeded 1,300. Patrol staff take great pride in their work, often feeling a sense of achievement when they witness young turtles making their way to the sea.
Afforestation has also been a significant focus. Despite challenges like freshwater scarcity, Sansha City has nurtured over 85,000 saplings and successfully planted more than 53,000. In some areas, green coverage has surpassed 90%, a figure that continues to grow.
The city's commitment to marine life extends to avian species as well. A total of 78 sea bird species have been recorded across China's vast seas, with over 40 roaming Sansha's islands and reefs.
Coral reef restoration is another critical initiative, with demonstration areas established on Yongxing and Qilianyu islands. Plans are underway to transplant more than 260,000 coral seedlings to further bolster conservation efforts.
Zhang Chenglong, deputy director of the Sansha Marine and Fishery Bureau, emphasizes the collaborative nature of these efforts. \"We will continue to gather efforts from various departments and relevant scientific research institutions to jointly protect the marine environment in our city.\"
Reference(s):
China's southernmost city of Sansha champions marine conservation
cgtn.com
