Sea Turtle Conservation
Protecting One of the Ocean's Greatest Travellers
Every sea turtle cared for at SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium has its own rescue story. Many have been accidentally caught in fishing nets, entangled in discarded fishing gear, stranded with injuries caused by vessel strikes, or suffered digestive problems after ingesting marine debris such as plastic bags. As a government-designated marine animal rescue and treatment centre, SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium provides specialised veterinary care and rehabilitation, helping rescued sea turtles recover before returning them to their ocean home.
Sea turtles are internationally threatened species whose populations are declining worldwide due to marine pollution, climate change, and habitat loss. In collaboration with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, and other partner organisations, SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium carries out rescue and treatment programmes while also conducting annual release initiatives, returning rehabilitated sea turtles to the wild at locations including Jungmun Saekdal Beach on Jeju Island.
As part of these release programmes, selected turtles are fitted with satellite tracking devices to monitor their movements and better understand their behaviour after release. The data collected supports scientific research and contributes to future conservation efforts. SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium remains committed to protecting sea turtles and helping ensure they can continue to thrive in our oceans.
1. Sea Turtle Rescue Network
Every Rescue Begins with Public Awareness and Reporting
SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium works closely with the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, the Korea Coast Guard, and other partner organisations to operate a rescue network for sea turtles in need. When a sea turtle is reported after becoming entangled in fishing gear, caught as bycatch, or stranded along the coastline, the team assesses the situation and carries out rescue operations where necessary.
SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium also conducts ongoing conservation campaigns in coastal fishing communities around Busan, providing guidance on how to respond to bycaught sea turtles and follow safe rescue procedures. In addition, we raise awareness of the threats posed by marine debris and abandoned fishing gear. The interest and prompt reporting of local communities and fishermen are often the first and most important step in saving the lives of endangered sea turtles.
2. Rescue
Responding to Sea Turtles in Need
When a sea turtle is accidentally caught in fishing nets, injured, or stranded along the coastline, SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium, a government-designated marine animal rescue and treatment centre, responds immediately upon receiving a report through its established rescue network, including local residents, the Korea Coast Guard, and emergency services.
After the rescued sea turtle's condition has been carefully assessed, healthy individuals are released back into the ocean at the rescue site whenever possible. If the turtle requires intensive treatment and care, it is safely transported to SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium for specialised treatment and rehabilitation.
3. Treatment
Specialist Care for a Healthy Recovery
Sea turtles transported to SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium receive comprehensive health assessments under the care of veterinarians and aquarists. Blood tests and diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, are carried out to assess external injuries, fractures, and digestive complications caused by the ingestion of marine debris.
Based on the examination results, each turtle receives individualised treatment, including wound care, infection management, medication, and other specialised medical care tailored to its condition. Throughout the treatment process, stable water quality and appropriate water temperatures are maintained to minimise stress. Each sea turtle is closely monitored until it is able to feed independently and has regained normal swimming and breathing functions.
4. Rehabilitation
Preparing for a Healthy Return to the Ocean
Once treatment has been completed, sea turtles begin the rehabilitation process in preparation for their return to the wild. Rehabilitation is not only about healing injuries—it is about restoring the strength and natural behaviours needed to survive independently in their natural habitat.
Throughout rehabilitation, aquarists closely monitor each turtle's feeding, swimming ability, diving, buoyancy control, and overall behaviour to assess its health and readiness for release. They also maintain water quality and environmental conditions that closely resemble the turtle's natural habitat while providing a varied diet to help rebuild its strength. Through this rehabilitation process, each sea turtle is prepared for its journey back to the ocean.
5. Release
Returning to the Ocean
Following successful treatment and rehabilitation, each sea turtle undergoes a final assessment to evaluate its health and ability to survive in the wild. Once it is confirmed to be fit for release, the turtle is returned to the ocean at a suitable location within its natural habitat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and other partner organisations.
For selected individuals, satellite tracking devices are attached as part of scientific research to monitor their movements and survival after release. The information collected helps researchers better understand sea turtle ecology and migration patterns, while also providing valuable data to support future rescue, rehabilitation, release programmes, and conservation policies.
| Year | Rescue Location | Rescue & Treatment | Outcome |
| 2001 | 63 SeaWorld | Received for long-term care. | - |
| 2002 | Yongdusan Park Aquarium, Busan | Provided veterinary treatment for a sea turtle on loan from Yongdusan Park Aquarium before returning it to the aquarium. | - |
| 2004 | Yeongdeok, Gyeongsangbuk-do | A stranded sea turtle rescued by the Korea Wildlife Protection Association was transferred to Busan Aquarium for treatment, including parasite and infection care, before being released back into the wild. | Released |
| 2015 | Daebyeon Port, Gijang, Busan | A loggerhead sea turtle entangled in discarded fishing nets and stranded was discovered by the Ulsan Coast Guard. SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium assisted with the rescue and received the turtle for treatment and ongoing care. | - |
| 2024 | Neungpo, Geoje | A weak loggerhead sea turtle caught in a fixed fishing net was reported by a local fisherman. After notification of the Korea Coast Guard and the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, the turtle was transferred to SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium, where it received antibiotic treatment, barnacle removal, and a high-nutrition diet due to low total protein levels. | Released on 28 August 2024 |
| Gyeongpo Aquarium | Transferred to SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium after Gyeongpo Aquarium was unable to continue its care and release programme. | Released on 28 August 2024 | |
| 2025 | Yeocha Beach, Geoje | A loggerhead sea turtle exhausted after becoming entangled in discarded fishing nets was rescued by a local fisherman while floating at the surface and reported for rescue. | - |
| Isudo, Geoje | A loggerhead sea turtle became stranded after being caught in a fixed fishing net. It suffered bacterial infections across the carapace and plastron, with barnacles and marine growth attached, as well as injuries and bleeding to the left front flipper. | - |
| Year | Rescue Location | Rescue & Treatment Details | Remarks |
| 2008 | Isudo, Geoje | A green sea turtle entangled in a set net was rescued, treated (including the removal of barnacles), rehabilitated, and successfully released. | Released on 5 October 2009 |
| 2011 | Jeju Island | Two green sea turtles caught in a set net were rescued and treated by the National Institute of Fisheries Science before being transferred to Busan Aquarium for short-term rehabilitation and released at Haeundae Beach. | - |
| 2012 | Isudo, Geoje | A stranded green sea turtle was reported by a local fisherman to the National Institute of Fisheries Science and Busan Aquarium. The turtle was transferred for treatment and later released. | Released in October 2013 |
| 2013 | Isudo, Geoje | A stranded green sea turtle was reported by a local fisherman and transferred to Busan Aquarium. Despite treatment, the turtle died due to severe infection. | - |
| 2014 | Isudo, Geoje | A stranded green sea turtle was reported by a local fisherman to the National Institute of Fisheries Science and SEA LIFE Busan. The turtle was rescued, treated, and successfully released. | Released in October 2015 |
| Songjeong, Busan | A local fisherman discovered a green sea turtle caught in a set net and contacted SEA LIFE Busan. The turtle was rescued, treated, and cared for before release. | Released in October 2015 | |
| Yokjido, Tongyeong | A stranded green sea turtle was reported by a local fisherman to the National Institute of Fisheries Science and SEA LIFE Busan. The turtle was rescued, treated, and released. | Released in October 2014 | |
| 2016 | Isudo, Geoje | A green sea turtle washed ashore and was rescued before receiving care and rehabilitation. | Released on 20 August 2016 |
| 2020 | Gyeongpo Aquarium | Two green sea turtles originally rescued off Uljin in 2019 were transferred to Gyeongpo Aquarium. Following a decision by the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM) to relocate the endangered turtles due to operational challenges at the facility, they were transferred to SEA LIFE Busan, rehabilitated, and released in Jeju. | Released on 21 August 2021 |
| 2024 | Isudo, Geoje | A weakened green sea turtle stranded after becoming trapped in a set net was reported by a local fisherman and transferred to SEA LIFE Busan, where it recovered through professional care. | Released on 11 September 2025 |
| 2026 | Jijok-ri, Changseon-myeon, Namhae | A green sea turtle missing its left rear flipper became stranded inside a traditional bamboo fish trap (jukbangryeom). A local fisherman reported the incident, and the turtle was rescued. | - |
| Year | Location | Research / Conservation Activity | Partner |
| 2011 | - | Sea turtle species restoration and conservation research project | National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) |
| 2023 | Geoje, Tongyeong | Fisher awareness campaign to support sea turtle rescue efforts | - |
| 2025 | South Gyeongsang Province, South Coast | Fisher awareness campaign to strengthen the reporting network for the rescue and treatment of sea turtles and other protected marine species | - |
| 2026 | East Coast of North Gyeongsang Province | Fisher awareness campaign to strengthen the reporting network for the rescue and treatment of sea turtles and other protected marine species | - |
| Year | Location | Rescue & Treatment Details | Remarks |
| 2003 | Busan Marine Natural History Museum | A Hawksbill sea turtle on display at the Busan Marine Natural History Museum was transferred to Busan Aquarium for specialist care after its health deteriorated. Following nutritional support and rehabilitation, the turtle recovered and was returned to the Busan Marine Natural History Museum. | - |
| Year | Location | Conservation Activity | Remarks |
| 2015 | - | Public awareness campaign to protect freshwater turtles from improper release into the sea. | - |
