The conch, weighing over 2.6 kg, was discovered by fishermen in the waters of Cu Lao Cham, Hoi An City, after a 20-year absence.
On August 21, Mr. Nguyen Van Vu, Deputy Director of the Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area Management Board, announced that a conch weighing over 2.6 kg and measuring 44 cm in length was released back into the sea after being caught by fisherman Tran Van Cu, residing in Bai Ong village, Tan Hiep island commune, Hoi An City.
Mr. Cu and authorities releasing the conch back into the sea. (Photo: Cu Lao Cham Marine Conservation Management Board).
According to Mr. Vu, the agency has not recorded any sightings of the conch in the waters of Cu Lao Cham since 2004. “The discovery of the conch by local fishermen indicates the success of marine conservation efforts in Cu Lao Cham in recent years,” he stated.
Previously, on August 19, Mr. Cu caught the conch while fishing using a net in the Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area. He recognized that this was a rare species due to the protective measures promoted by the management board.
Local residents mentioned that the conch used to be seen in the waters of Cu Lao Cham. This species is noticeable due to its large size, making it easy to spot while diving. Locals used to catch them for food or sale, but eventually, they disappeared from sight.
The conch weighs over 2.6 kg and measures 44 cm. (Photo: Ngoc Dien).
The scientific name of the conch is Charonia Tritonis, also known as the queen conch or royal conch. Its exterior is cream-colored with numerous dark brown or light brown stripes. It features prominent spiral patterns from the mouth to the apex. This species lives in soft-bottom intertidal zones near coral reefs, often found at depths of 20 to 30 meters.
In Vietnam, conchs (Charonia) are widely distributed in coastal areas such as Ly Son (Quang Ngai Province), Hon Mun, and Hon Tre (Khanh Hoa Province), as well as various coral reef regions. Currently, conchs have been listed as rare species needing conservation and protection according to the Vietnam Red Data Book. Conchs are valuable and have high artistic value, and their numbers are relatively low. They are currently facing intense exploitation, leading to a depletion of resources everywhere, including juvenile conchs, with a threat level of V (species of economic value that may be at risk of extinction).
The main food source for conchs is the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci), which poses a threat to coral reefs as they feed on the corals. Conchs play a vital ecological role in protecting coral reefs.
According to the General Department of Fisheries, under the Coral Reef Restoration Program by 2050, the Australian government has invested 568,000 AUD in research projects for breeding conchs, which are natural predators of crown-of-thorns starfish. The Australian Institute of Marine Science has been studying and developing conch larvae to ensure they can mature into juvenile and adult stages, further enhancing the biological research on this species.
