KOTA BARU: After a three-decade absence, sea turtles have returned to the Kelantan coast after several hatchlings were discovered in Pasir Puteh on Monday (Aug 24).
The discovery was reported by members of the public to the local Fisheries Community, before being referred to the Kelantan Fisheries Department for further action and monitoring.
Kelantan Fisheries Department director Ismail Ibrahim said the hatchlings were identified as green turtles.
"We released 156 of the hatchlings back into the sea as part of conservation efforts.
"We have not recorded any sea turtle landings in Kelantan waters for a long time. The return of these hatchlings is a very positive sign for our marine ecosystem," he said in a post on the Kelantan Fisheries Department's official Facebook page.
Meanwhile, State Agriculture, Agro-food Industry and Commodities Committee chairman Datuk Tuan Mohd Saripudin Tuan Ismail said the Pachakan, Semerak and Tok Bali beaches in Pasir Puteh have the potential to become turtle nesting sites again after hatchlings and eggs were found in the area.
In a social media post, he said turtles from the waters around Pulau Redang had previously landed at Pachakan, Semerak, Pasir Puteh.
"In the past, turtles living around Pulau Redang also landed at Pachakan Beach, Semerak, Pasir Puteh. Therefore, we must take action to prevent this species from becoming extinct.
"One of the measures is to conduct awareness campaigns to ensure turtle habitats are preserved. With proper planning, we are confident that Pachakan Beach and Tok Bali can once again become turtle nesting sites," he said. – Bernama
