SEREMBAN: The number of turtle nests recorded in Negeri Sembilan has increased more than threefold from 13 nests in 2020 to 45 nests in 2025, involving green turtles and hawksbill turtles in Port Dickson.
State Fisheries Department director Kasim Tawe said that the increase indicates that turtle landings are still occurring at several beach locations in the state, including Port Dickson.
"The nesting of turtles does not only occur at Tanjung Gemuk, but also covers many beaches in Port Dickson, starting from around Tanjung Tuan to Tanjung Gemuk," he said when contacted on Wednesday (Oct 7).
He said based on landings, egg incubation, and turtle hatchling records over the past five years, the number of eggs recorded and successfully hatched have also increased.
A total of 5,552 eggs were recorded in 2025, with 4,371 of them successfully hatching, compared to 3,333 eggs recorded and 1,080 eggs hatching the previous year.
Commenting on the proposal by the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Aktivis Pemuliharaan Marin Malaysia, for the state government to consider designating Tanjung Gemuk as a turtle landing protection zone, Kasim said there is no need to do so as the area is a public beach with various functions.
He said the more important thing to do is to raise public awareness so that the beach remains clean, and to reduce any disturbances if turtles land to lay their eggs.
"Pantai Tanjung Gemuk is a public beach administered by the Port Dickson Municipal Council, which is also responsible for the cleanliness of the shoreline and providing basic facilities there.
"The Fisheries Department also appointed the management of Glory Beach Resort, located adjacent to the beach, as a private turtle conservation centre in Port Dickson," he said.
Kasim said that efforts to protect the turtle landing area require the cooperation of all parties, especially the council, the Port Dickson District and Land Office, as well as the public, considering that the area in question is a public beach.
Aktivis Pemuliharaan Marin Malaysia had said that Tanjung Gemuk holds significant value as a turtle landing and nesting site and requires a more organised protection mechanism, including identifying landing areas, protecting nests, conducting patrols, and monitoring turtle landing and nesting activities.
The proposal follows a recent incident in which a hawksbill turtle nest on the beach was believed to have been disturbed and its eggs stolen. - Bernama
