KUALA NERUS: The Terengganu government has urged tourism operators and business owners along the Rantau Abang coastline to reduce lighting in the area to avoid disturbing leatherback turtles expected to come ashore during the current nesting season.
State Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris said the reappearance of a leatherback turtle at Pasir Putih Beach, Marang, a few days ago had renewed hope for the state’s conservation efforts and tourism sector.
He said that, based on the experience and traditional knowledge of local residents, the critically endangered species, which is the world’s largest turtle, typically comes ashore at the same location three times during a nesting season to lay its eggs.
"Yesterday, I visited the turtle hatchery in Rantau Abang to observe the situation and advise tourism operators and residents to manage lighting and scale back activities during the nesting season along the Rantau Abang coastline. Pasir Putih Beach falls within this stretch.
"According to the experience of those who have long worked with these turtles, they will return to the same location three times during a season. So, there are two more occasions before the turtle nesting season ends in November,” he said after the flag-off ceremony for the Terengganu Merdeka Challenger programme in Bandar Baru Kuala Nerus on Friday (Sept 4).
Also present was Terengganu Tourism Department director Datuk Tengku Mohd Ariffin Tengku A. Rahman.
Razali said he had also reminded fishermen to exercise caution during fishing activities to prevent turtle deaths caused by entanglement in fishing nets.
He said efforts to maintain beach cleanliness and environmental sustainability must also be intensified to encourage leatherback turtles to return to Rantau Abang and revitalise the area as a key tourism attraction.
"In the 1980s, Rantau Abang was renowned as a nesting site for leatherback turtles. However, we were too reckless...holding festivals, using excessive lighting, and even climbing onto the turtles’ backs, which drove the animals to the brink of extinction.
"With this opportunity, we want to properly safeguard the area and restore the vibrancy of Rantau Abang, but with strict controls and a more environmentally friendly approach,” he said. - Bernama
