A sea turtle undergoes a blood test as part of a health checkup. [Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries]
A sea turtle undergoes a blood test as part of a health checkup. [Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries]

Twelve sea turtles that were rescued, treated or hatched through artificial incubation are set to return to the waters off Jeju. Rather than being carried into the sea by hand, the turtles will be placed on a sandy beach and allowed to make their own way to the water — a method designed to minimize the stress of returning to the wild.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Wednesday that it will release the 12 turtles at Jungmun Saekdal Beach in Jeju on Thursday.

The release includes three species: six green sea turtles, four hawksbill sea turtles and two loggerhead sea turtles.

Sea turtles range across vast stretches of ocean but face numerous threats, including marine debris, discarded fishing gear and habitat destruction. All seven surviving sea turtle species are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Sea turtles that were rescued, treated or hatched through artificial incubation. [Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries]
Sea turtles that were rescued, treated or hatched through artificial incubation. [Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries]

South Korea designates five sea turtle species confirmed to inhabit its waters — the green, loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley and leatherback — as marine protected species.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries works with private institutions each year to return sea turtles to the wild as part of efforts to restore wild populations. This year's release is carried out in partnership with Aqua Planet Yeosu and Aqua Planet Jeju — both specialist marine animal rescue and treatment centers and ex-situ conservation facilities — as well as SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium.

The release method has also been updated. To reduce the stress turtles may experience from human contact and to support a more natural return to the wild, staff will not place the animals directly into the sea. Instead, the turtles will be set on the beach and left to reach the water on their own — a no-contact approach.

The effort does not end with the release. The National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea will attach satellite tracking devices to the turtles to monitor their movements afterward. Data on where the turtles travel after leaving Jeju's waters will serve as the basis for future sea turtle conservation and management policy, as well as related research.

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Hwang Jong-woo said the turtles' return to nature was made possible by "the passion and dedication of countless people who love the sea and its creatures." He added that he hoped the turtles would "swim the ocean in good health" and that the release would serve as an opportunity to protect marine life and its habitats together.


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