Rare sea cows are cut off in Phu Quoc

The Wildlife Protection Organization (WAR) has discovered a line of marine beef trade and rare marine animals in Phu Quoc Island.

WAR's director, Nguyen Vu Khoi, said that a few days ago, the organization received reports from the islanders that a Dugong (sea cow) weighed about 100kg and was cut and sold to restaurants. Then, WAR enters the investigation and confirms that the report is true.

According to WAR's announcement today, the sea cow was cut on the ship and sold to an intermediary in Duong Dong Town.

Dugongs are on the list of rare species
going to be extinct and need to be protected. (Photo: WIkipedia)

This mediated sea beef is then delivered directly to buyers or restaurants on Phu Quoc Island. The price per pound of sea beef ranges from VND 400,000 to VND 550,000.

"Not only dugongs, but sea turtles like turtles are often caught and touted at restaurants on the island with the price of around 450,000 VND / kg and 200,000 VND / kg," Mr. Khoi said.

The survey also said that in the past, this line worked quite publicly. Since the measures to protect sea dug and marine resources of Phu Quoc have been deployed, this line continues to operate but is more discreet.

WAR has sent a letter to the authorities on Phu Quoc Island asking to handle the trafficking of sea cows and endangered marine animals.

Dugongs are large mammals, living in the sea. Adults can be 3m long and weigh about 450kg. They eat seagrass and other marine plants. Due to the slow movement and large body, this species is prone to catching fishermen's nets.

Hunted dugongs take meat, skin to make food and teeth for making medicine or jewelry.

According to the Vietnam Red Book, sea cows are threatened with extinction. According to a survey by the International Nature Conservation Fund (WWF) in 2003, Phu Quoc and Con Dao are two small marine areas of Vietnam with live sea cows, with no more than 100 fish.