KUALA TERENGGANU: Despite 2025 being in its early months, the rising number of green sea turtle deaths in Terengganu has reached an alarming level with the state Fisheries Department recording 20 such cases since January.
Despite ongoing conservation efforts to protect marine life, the rising death toll tells a different story, with nine cases recorded in March, compared to five in February and six in January.
The sharp rise in fatalities – predominantly among male turtles – signals an escalating threat.
According to media reports on March 15, three male green sea turtle carcasses were discovered stranded along Pantai Chakar Hutan in less than 31 hours.
One of them showed wounds suspected to be caused by entanglement in a fisherman’s stingray net.
This situation marks a stark contrast to the previous year, when only five turtle deaths were recorded over five months.
According to Wan Zuriana Wan Sulaiman, who is the turtle conservation project manager at the Marine Conservation and Research Organisation Malaysia (Pulihara) at Pantai Chakar Hutan, Kemaman, the dwindling number of male turtles is a serious concern, as it poses a significant risk to the species’ survival.
This situation hampers the fertilisation process among females. While they may still come ashore to lay eggs, the absence of viable males results in undeveloped eggs which cannot hatch.
Wan Zuriana cited the leatherback turtles in Rantau Abang, Dungun, which were declared functionally extinct in 2008, due to a lack of mature male turtles returning for mating.
Although leatherback turtles still exist in other areas, they do not migrate to Rantau Abang, as turtles instinctively return to the sites where they were first released into the sea.
In addition, the ongoing hot weather across the country is further threatening its survival.
Elevated temperatures have led to a reduced number of male hatchlings at marine conservation centres, worsening the species’ already precarious situation.
Given these alarming trends, Wan Zuriana stressed that turtle conservation efforts must not be taken lightly.
Without immediate intervention, other species could face the same fate as the leatherbacks.
Referring to the domino effect caused by the extinction of leatherback turtles, she highlighted the surge in the jellyfish population, which poses a significant threat to fish growth and reproduction. This imbalance could ultimately impact the nation’s food security.
“The increase in jellyfish could negatively impact the country’s tourism industry, particularly in island destinations which might be forced to close temporarily.
“For instance, the recent discovery of the Portuguese Man O’ War jellyfish on several islands in Terengganu presents a potentially fatal risk,” she said.
Determined to prevent Pantai Chakar Hutan from suffering the same fate as Rantau Abang, Pulihara is committed to ensuring the survival of marine turtles.
One of its key efforts involves regular patrols along the 1.4km coastline.
According to Wan Zuriana, these patrols help locate female turtles which come ashore to lay eggs, allowing conservationists to safely transfer the eggs to hatcheries.
Additionally, Pulihara conducts outdoor education programmes, to raise awareness among school students and local communities.
This initiative is crucial, as awareness of turtle conservation remains low within the community.
“Many people still do not understand the significance of protecting turtles, or the dire consequences of their extinction. Through this programme, we highlight the urgent need to halt the sale and consumption of turtles and their eggs, as these practices are accelerating their decline,” she explained.
