On July 2, 2024, the consortium of ZEHO ECO and Xiamen Marine Engineering Survey and Design Institute successfully won the bid for the survey and design project of the Hainan Sanya Sea Turtle and Hawksbill Turtle Population Recovery and Habitat Ecological Restoration. This project is the most characteristic species protection project among the third batch of integrated protection and restoration projects for mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, grasslands, and sandy areas.

The Xiamen Marine Engineering Survey and Design Institute is affiliated with the Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources. This successful bid is another innovative achievement in the field of marine ecological restoration following the establishment of the "Marine Ecological Protection and Restoration Key Laboratory" with the Third Institute of Oceanography. It is also a key action by the company to promote the protection and restoration of marine biodiversity, playing an active role in the recovery of endangered marine species in China and globally.

In November 2022, ZEHO ECO, along with the Special Zone Development Group and the Third Institute of Oceanography, co-established the Marine Ecological Protection and Restoration Key Laboratory.

In December 2022, ZEHO ECO was invited to share biodiversity protection practices at the COP15 conference.

Survey and Design of the Sea Turtle and Hawksbill Turtle Population Recovery and Habitat Ecological Restoration Project

Sea turtles (scientific name: Chelonia spp.), including green turtles, loggerhead turtles, and hawksbill turtles, are key species in marine ecology. Among them, the hawksbill turtle is recognized by the international academic community as an important indicator species of the health of marine ecosystems due to its high sensitivity to the marine environment. In recent years, marine biodiversity has been severely threatened, and the hawksbill turtle was listed as a national first-class protected animal in 2021. It has also been assessed as critically endangered (CR) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Hawksbill turtle, an important indicator species of marine ecosystem health.

The project addresses key issues in hawksbill turtle population recovery and habitat construction. It will systematically formulate comprehensive coastal zone restoration measures on a regional scale, including beach restoration, shoreline comprehensive improvement, coral reef restoration, ecological reef deployment, and seagrass bed restoration. These measures aim to enhance the comprehensive disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities of the coast, creating an ecologically suitable habitat and conservation base for sea turtles and hawksbill turtles. The project will restore 19 hectares of coastal zone area, contributing to the goal of "clear water, green shores, clean beaches, beautiful bays, and abundant wildlife" in marine ecological civilization construction.

Project location

For many years, ZEHO ECO, as a pioneer in the NbS (Nature-based Solutions) concept in the field of marine ecological restoration, has started with the holistic protection of the coastal zone. The company systematically integrates disciplines such as oceanography, ecology, hydrology, urban planning, and ecological landscape to address ecological issues like fragmented land-sea spatial habitats and system disintegration in coastal zones. ZEHO ECO constructs safe, resilient, healthy, and vibrant coastal ecosystems, accumulating rich practical experience in marine biodiversity protection: Qinhuangdao coastal restoration has created a beautiful new scene in Bohai Bay with clear water, clean beaches, abundant fish, and harmonious human-sea interaction; the Nansha Lingdingyang Island project in Guangzhou has rejuvenated the mangroves in the intertidal zone; Putian Blue Bay has restored clear water and green shores, with egrets flying gracefully into the scene; Leizhou's mangrove restoration has created a green forest on the blue sea; the Duntou Bay Coral Reef Ecological Protection and Restoration Project in Dongfang City has built an underwater coral garden, establishing a natural barrier for the coastal zone.

In the future, the company will continue to deepen its marine ecological business, actively strengthening in-depth cooperation in production, learning, research, and application with ministries and research institutions. This will consolidate and enhance the company's technical advantages and market competitiveness, contributing more to biodiversity protection in China.