(MY) turtles in the east coast

[Guest guest]

Sunday January 22, 2006 - The Star letters' page

 

Are we doing enough to protect turtles?

 

SAHABAT Alam Malaysia is deeply troubled over several complaints we

received about the sale of turtle eggs, especially in markets in the

East Coast.

 

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

creatures are to be saved. While banning consumption of turtle eggs is

taboo to the older generation, it is about time that drastic action

for an outright ban on the sale of turtle eggs be taken.

 

The Fisheries Department and the state governments should seriously

question themselves as to whether enough has been done to arrest the

steady decline in the number of marine turtles.

 

Various conservation strategies have been adopted, yet the turtle

population continues sliding down the ladder of extinction.

 

Currently, laws governing turtles 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, Leatherback and Olive Ridley – come to visit our shores and it

is vital to ensure their continuous presence through concerted

efforts, including banning egg consumption by the local community,

controlling harmful fishing gear, and halting resort and hotel

development near nesting sites.

 

The Leatherbacks' situation is most critical and symbolic of what is

occurring among other marine species that would be lost to posterity

unless the local community, researchers, governments and the private

sector start working together to prevent the turtles from fading into

oblivion.

 

S.M. MOHD IDRIS

President

Sahabat Alam Malaysia