PHUKET: Ninety juvenile sea turtles were released into the sunset waters of the Andaman Sea to begin their lifetime ocean odysseys at Laguna Phuket's annual sea turtle release yesterday on the Angsana Laguna Phuket beachfront.

Over 500 donors and spectators were all-smiles as they rooted for the tiny turtles while they were making their momentous journey.

The beach ceremony was part of Laguna Phuket's on-going environmental partnership with with Phuket Marine Biological Centre and the 3rd Area Naval Command, Royal Thai Navy to help the plight of endangered sea turtles.

This year's event which was the 20th edition of the annual Laguna Phuket Sea Turtle Release Ceremony raised over baht 200,000 from turtle ticket sales and other activities, including a raffle, to be put towards ongoing sea turtle conservation programs by Phuket Marine Biological Centre and the 3rd Area Naval Command, Royal Thai Navy, and renovation of turtle pools at Phuket Marine Biological Centre.

In previous years, Laguna Phuket has also used fund raised to sponsor four satellite tracking devices for juvenile sea turtles as well as reconstruct roof structure for disabled turtle shelter at Phuket Marine Biological Centre, all aiming to enhance the efficiency of sea turtle conservation in Phuket.

Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) can live for up to 60 years and spend their lives roaming the world's oceans. Only the females ever come ashore again to nest.