KUALA LUMPUR: While green turtle populations have shown signs of recovery, conservationists are calling for stronger measures to protect Malaysia’s other threatened sea turtle species.
Ahead of World Sea Turtle Day on Tuesday, Turtle Conservation Society co-founder Dr Chan Eng Heng said hawksbill and olive ridley turtles require greater protection, particularly through the conservation of their feeding habitats.
“Hawksbill turtles feed on sponges that live in coral reefs. As such, coral reef protection efforts must be amplified to ensure they have a food source to sustain a growing population.
“Meanwhile, olive ridley sea turtles consume invertebrates found in muddy seabeds, which are heavily affected by trawler fishing activities,” she said.
She called for stricter controls on trawling alongside a nationwide ban on the sale and consumption of turtle eggs.
“Every turtle species has its own unique ecological role to play in the marine ecosystem, and protecting each species will contribute to a healthy and balanced marine ecosystem,” she added.
Malaysian Ecological Association president Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail said scientific research must be expanded to improve conservation strategies.
He said studies should focus on habitat quality, breeding performance, post-release survival rates and the effects of pollution, particularly plastics and microplastics.
“Plastic pollution is especially harmful, causing immediate trauma when turtles swallow debris like water bottles or become entangled in discarded fishing nets.
“There are also long-term health risks of degrading microplastics being absorbed by animals and on the ecosystem as a whole,” he said.
Prof Ahmad stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government agencies, NGOs and corporate partners to better educate the public on the need for turtle conservation.
EcoKnights president Amlir Ayat said turtle conservation should not be treated as a standalone issue but integrated into broader environmental management plans.
He said authorities must first identify and address the root causes behind declining turtle populations by educating local communities near turtle breeding sites and the public as a whole.
“Beyond tougher legal enforcement, the government should incentivise fishermen to adopt turtle-friendly fishing technologies.
“This could include financial support for those shifting to safer equipment, coupled with broader public awareness campaigns to drive grassroots support for marine preservation,” Amlir added.
According to Sahabat Alam Malaysia honorary secretary Mageswari Sangaralingam, conservation efforts should also focus on reducing over-development of coastal areas near turtle nesting sites.
“Artificial coastal lighting disorients turtles, as they rely on the natural reflection of the moon and stars on the water to navigate,” she said.
“Beach erosion as a result of development can physically affect the landscape of turtle nesting sites as well, which is why areas near nesting beaches must be designated as permanent protected areas.”
In a Bernama report on June 10, the Fisheries Department said a total of 757,869 baby turtles were successfully hatched and released into the sea at Terengganu last year, with most being green turtles.
