MB concerned over turtles dying in illegal nets

Deadly snare: A ‘pukat pari’ found some 30m from a beach in Kijal, Terengganu.

PETALING JAYA: The Tereng­ganu Mentri Besar is concerned over the dying turtles as a result from the use of illegal nets to catch stingrays.

Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman (pic) said the state government would call relevant parties, especially the state Fishery Department, to discuss ways to end the problem.

He would also request for the Fishery Department to act immediately and monitor the use of illegal nets.

“I am worried about the situation and will take the necessary steps to make sure that fishermen are more responsible while using the nets.

“If there is no action taken, I am afraid that the turtles, especially those on the coastal areas of this state, would become extinct,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Ahmad Razif said the state government had always been concerned about issues surrounding the endangered species which were synonymous with Terengganu.

Yesterday, The Star highlighted the dangers faced by the turtles in Terengganu due to the use of illegal nets in the lucrative fishing of stingrays.

The report said that the metres of illegal nets laid out to catch stingrays along the shores of the state – some as close as 30m from the beach – were also trapping and drowning the turtles.