On November 13th, 2017, the Ministry of Agriculture authorized 32 scientific research institutions to undertake the identification of aquatic wild animals and plants and their products. STU has been authorized to identify the cetacean, cheloniidae and leatherbacks.

The research team led by Professor Liu Wenhua has been studied the conservation of whales and turtles for a long time. In recent years, the team has participated in many cetacean research projects, and it has provided technical support and assistance for rescuing cetaceans and turtles many times. They have rescued many species including the Chinese white dolphin, porpoise, dwarf sperm whale, killer whale, sperm whale, green turtle and leatherbacks.

STU has been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture for rare and endangered aquatic wildlife species identification qualification. This fact shows that STU’s Scientific research and identification abilities in protection and identification of rare marine species have been affirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture.