WWF: Bigger turtle haven needed for conservation

Farik Zolkepli The Star 6 Aug 11;

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Ma' Daerah Turtle Sanctuary in Kemaman should be gazetted beyond its current 23.65ha-wide area to ensure its effectiveness in preserving the turtle population, said WWF Malaysia.

The organisation had made the call to the state government.

“The sanctuary was gazetted in 2007, thus it is high time for it to be expanded,” said WWF Malaysia Terengganu Turtle Conservation team leader Rahayu Zulkifli.

“The foundation, along with its partners the Fisheries Department and BP Malaysia proposed that the gazetted area be extended to cover five key areas,” she told reporters after a breaking fast session and turtle patrol in Kerteh on Thursday night.

She added that among the areas to be covered were all low-lying places situated between the coast and the edge of Bukit Labohan, the entire area along the 1.7km beach near the sanctuary and all state waters adjacent to the coastal area.

“We also felt that the entire area of the entrance to the sanctuary should be covered.

“Bukit Labohan Kecil and Besar should be included,” she said, adding that both hills provided critical buffers for the turtle sanctuary against light and noise pollution.

Rahayu said the turtle sanctuary was unique because it boasted the highest landings of green turtles scientifically known as cheloniamydas in the peninsula, even though it was surrounded by large petrochemical refineries and a township.

“The sanctuary averages between 200 and 400 green turtle nests each year and an average of 80% hatching success.

“The state government has supported our cause by approving the existing gazetted area, but the time to expand is now,” she said.

During a patrol near Pantai Cagar Hutan located 10 minutes from the sanctuary, Rahayu said the foundation's workers managed to spot a green turtle laying eggs.

“It is truly a wonderful experience, thus the fight for turtle conservation must go on,” she added.