Malaysia: Fishermen learn to save turtles themselves

New Straits Times 18 Mar 12;

WIN-WIN: ‘It will result in sustainable fisheries’

KUALA TERENGGANU: THE cooperation of fisherfolk is vital to turtle conservation. Dr Jarina Mohd Jani of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu's Institute of Oceanography and Environment said more efforts were needed to improve relations between fishermen and turtle conservationists.

A turtle that choked to death is found washed ashore in Terengganu. Pic courtesy of WWF-Malaysia

"This enhanced engagement will contribute towards a better understanding of how turtle conservation affects the fisheries sector.

"This will benefit the fishermen as healthy turtle populations contribute towards a healthy ocean and more sustainable fishing livelihoods," she said.

At least 11 dead green turtles (Chelonia mydas) were found washed ashore in Terengganu in the first two months of the year, according to Fisheries Department statistics.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Malaysia said the animals died of drowning after being entangled in the wire mesh of ray nets (pukat pari), which are illegal.

The Fisheries Department seized 134 ray nets in the state's waters from April to September last year under the Fisheries (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) Regulations 1980. However, enforcement remains a challenge, and more stringent measures are needed to ensure that the use of illegal fishing gear is reduced.

Persatuan Khazanah Rakyat Ma'Daerah (Mekar), a community-based environmental non-governmental organisation in Kertih, had organised three turtle rescue and release workshops for about 150 fishermen in 2009 and last year.

The workshops trained participants to rescue and resuscitate turtles accidentally caught in fishing gear, and to subsequently release them back into the sea.

The workshops, which were carried out in collaboration with and co-facillitated by the Fisheries Department, WWF-Malaysia and WWF-Indonesia, are a means of engaging local fishermen through education and awareness activities.

Mekar also advised fishermen to notify the Fisheries Department or WWF-Malaysia of any dead turtles they might find.

Following these workshops, several turtles were rescued by fishermen by applying the techniques they learnt.

Most of the reports received from the public were also the result of the workshops.

Read more: Fishermen learn to save turtles themselves - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/fishermen-learn-to-save-turtles-themselves-1.62088#ixzz1pWFYwX1j