Sea turtle population surges on islands

Ganquan Island used to be a haven for seafarers sailing along the ancient maritime Silk Road as it is one of two islands in the South China Sea that has underground fresh water.

The island has been inhabited by Chinese fishermen for hundreds of years, and a dozen are still living there, but they are outnumbered by another resident: green sea turtles.

Located in the west of China's Xisha archipelago, Ganquan, which literally means "sweet spring", is an ideal location for sea turtles due to its fine-sand beach and the large mass of coral reef surrounding the island.