DUNGUN: A leatherback turtle was spotted coming ashore to lay eggs at Pantai Jambu Bongkok, Marang, early this morning, bringing the total number of leatherback turtle landings recorded in the state to four in the past month.
Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said a fisherman found the turtle at about 4am and alerted the Rantau Abang Turtle Conservation and Information Centre (TCIC), which received the report at 5.30am.
"The nest was excavated at 6am, with 70 eggs successfully retrieved before being transferred to the Rantau Abang TCIC hatchery.
"An inspection at the site also recorded a turtle track measuring about 2.17 metres wide," he said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 1).
He said the discovery brought the total number of leatherback turtle eggs transferred for protection and incubation to 265 from four nests since Sept 1.
He said the first landing was recorded on Sept 1 at Pantai Pasir Puteh, Marang, where 44 eggs were collected, followed by the second on Sept 13 at Pantai Rantau Abang, which yielded 81 eggs. The third landing was recorded on Sept 22 at Pantai Kuala Abang, with 70 eggs.
"The four landings recorded since September represent an important development in leatherback turtle conservation efforts in Terengganu," he said.
Adnan said all four nests were now under the conservation management of TCIC Rantau Abang, with the eggs reburied at depths between 80 and 100 centimetres to replicate conditions as close as possible to those of natural nests.
He said the incubation period is estimated at between 55 and 70 days, depending on sand temperature and nest conditions, adding that eggs from the first nest are expected to hatch between Oct 26 and Nov 10, the second between Nov 7 and 22, the third between Nov 16 and Dec 1, and the fourth between Nov 25 and Dec 10.
"Rantau Abang TCIC will monitor the condition of each nest regularly until the hatching process is complete," he said, stressing that leatherback turtle conservation efforts require a coordinated approach involving scientific monitoring, nest management, enforcement and community participation, particularly from local communities and fishermen.
He also advised the public not to disturb or touch turtles that come ashore, but to report any sightings to the Department of Fisheries immediately so it can take protection and conservation measures. – Bernama
