PETALING JAYA: The Fisheries Department is using satellite technology to track the movements of green turtles after they nest, providing scientists with crucial data to strengthen conservation efforts.
The department said data from two female green turtles fitted with satellite transmitters at Cherating Beach earlier this month showed both remained in waters off Cherating, allowing researchers to monitor their movement patterns and habitat use.
"The satellite transmitters were attached on July 5 through a collaboration between the Fisheries Department and the Rantau Abang Fisheries Research Institute after the turtles came ashore to lay eggs.
"Both turtles were released back into the sea from the Cherating Turtle Conservation and Information Centre on July 8.
"The first turtle, weighing 116kg, laid 140 eggs during its first nesting on July 1 before returning on July 12 to lay another 76 eggs.
"The second turtle, weighing 159kg, laid 112 eggs on July 2 and another 82 eggs when it returned on July 16," it said in a statement on Thursday (July 23).
Pahang Fisheries director Roslan Abu Hassan said the satellite transmitters automatically sent location data every four hours whenever the turtles surfaced to breathe.
"The data received through the satellite trackers allows the department to study the turtles' movement patterns, migration routes and habitat use after the nesting season.
"This information forms an important basis for planning more effective management and conservation measures for the species," he said.
Roslan said the information collected would also help identify important habitats that require protection while strengthening marine research and resource management based on scientific evidence.
"Collaboration between the Fisheries Department, research institutions and the private sector is vital to expand the use of technology in turtle conservation while enriching scientific data that forms the basis of marine resource management," he said.
He added that each satellite transmitter costs about RM21,000 and is funded through the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) allocation and contributions from Bumi Armada Bhd.
The Fisheries Department said the satellite data would support future research into the distribution and movements of green turtles while strengthening long-term conservation planning for the species.
