Marine turtles in Malaysia: On the verge of extinction?

Four species of marine turtles (leatherback, green turtle, hawksbill and olive ridley) are found in Malaysia. Current statistics indicate that the leatherback and olive ridley turtles are on the verge of extinction in Malaysia; while other species, excluding the green turtles of the Sabah Turtle Islands, are in steady decline. Consumptive utilization in the form of egg exploitation until recently, took place mainly in Terengganu. Turtles are also being used to promote tourism in Terengganu and Sabah. Population decline is attributed to a long history of egg exploitation, commercial hunting and harvesting of marine turtles in neighbouring countries, fishing mortality, loss of nesting habitats, marine pollution, negative impacts of tourism and the lack of a national strategy on marine turtle conservation. Marine turtle conservation efforts in Malaysia are not lacking, but need to be upgraded and coordinated. Legislation among the various states of Malaysia should be harmonized to ensure greater protection for these endangered animals. Existing egg incubation programmes should be expanded to secure a higher level of egg protection. More sanctuaries should be established in key nesting sites and Malaysia should join her neighbours in ratifying current regional instruments aimed at marine turtle conservation.

Keywords:

• nesting trends
• population threats
• utilization
• management and conservation

Acknowledgements

The author is indebted to the Fisheries Department of Malaysia, Sabah Parks Authority, the Wildlife Department of Sabah and the Sarawak Forestry Department for providing statistics on turtle nesting density. Figures and graphs were produced with the help of Mr. Jeremy Liew Jee Weng. Professor Fatimah Yusoff of Universiti Putra Malaysia is thanked for her patience in awaiting the preparation of this chapter.