Scientists from the Nha Trang Oceanography Institute have discovered a new species of seaweed, named Halophiladecipiens, at a depth of over 6 metres in Hai Tac archipelago, off southern Kien Giang province.

The discovery helps prove the diversity of seaweeds in Vietnam and explain why Dugong, a rare sea mammal, also known as a sea cow and listed in the Red Book of threatened species, usually appears in this water area.

Scientists said that Kien Giang waters now have about 10 kinds of seaweeds, which serve as food for sea animals.