MY) letters on the marine turtles that come to Malaysian shores

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Letters

Time for an outright ban

S.M. MOHD IDRIS, for SAM, Penang

 

Jan 18

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SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) is troubled over reports of the sale of

turtle eggs, especially on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia.

 

The practice of eating turtle eggs will have to be stopped if these

creatures are to be saved.

 

While the older generation may feel it is wrong to ban consumption, it

is time to take drastic action in the form of an outright ban on the

sale of turtle eggs.

 

The Fisheries Department and State Governments should ask whether

enough has been done to arrest the steady decline of marine turtles.

 

Various conservation strategies have been adopted, yet the turtle

population is closer to extinction.

 

Obviously, neither the state authorities nor the department are doing

enough to protect turtles coming ashore to nest.

 

We need to know whether licensed egg collectors can be relied upon to

surrender all eggs collected to the hatcheries, or whether a certain

quota is allotted for the sale and consumption of the eggs.

 

Are hatcheries protected from poachers and predators? Has coastal

development encroached onto nesting sites?

 

Is enough being done to ensure that the infrastructure with bright

lights, noise pollution and the crowds won't scare the turtles away?

 

The Rantau Abang leatherback turtles are also affected by

high-sea-fishing, such as trawling and drift-net activities.

 

Currently, laws governing marine life are fragmented and efforts to

streamline them have met with resistance and lukewarm response from

State Governments.

 

Of the seven marine turtles in the world, only four — Hawksbill,

Green, leather- back and Olive Ridley — visit our shores.

 

It is vital to ensure their continuous presence through efforts such

as banning egg consumption by the local community, control of harmful

fishing methods, calling a halt to resort and hotel development near

nesting sites, controlled tourism and legislation to enable the

efforts to be enforced.