Malaysian Fisheries Department In Awareness Campaign To Save Endangered Species

Bernama 18 Nov 08;

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- The Fisheries Department has launched an awareness campaign to save turtles and other endangered species in Malaysian waters.

In collaboration with the Museum Department, an exhibition is being held at the National Museum here until Nov 30 entitled "Aquatic World - Turtles and Endangered Species in Malaysia.

To ensure the public understand the importance of managing and conserving marine species and rescuing them from extinction, it also organised an awareness seminar at the same venue today.

Fisheries Department Director-General Datuk Junaidi Che Ayub said Malaysians in general lacked awareness on the extinction of certain species of turtle, dugong, whale, shark and dolphin, caused by man's greed.

One of the department's main targets in the campaign was fishermen and today, it gave out guide materials to representatives of fishermen associations from all states hoping that they would play an effective role in saving the endangered species.

"The documents contain ways to save endangered species such as ways to save turtles trapped in nets, treat injured turtles and so on. All guides are in the form of illustrations," said Junaidi.

-- BERNAMA