KELLY KOH The Star 14 Apr 14;
CONSERVATION: Proposal to gazette stretches of beach as hawksbill turtle nesting sites first mooted in 2012
MALACCA: WILL parts of the coast along the Straits of Malacca be gazetted as a turtle sanctuary?
The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), via the Malacca Fisheries Department, is planning to resend the proposal to the state government.
WWF team leader Lau Min Min said the idea to gazette certain stretches of beaches in the state, was first mooted in 2012. The idea is being revisited as efforts were being made to secure these beaches as nesting habitats for hawksbill sea turtles.
Pulau Upeh is the largest hawksbill turtle nesting ground in Peninsular Malaysia, and the second largest in the country after the Sabah Turtle Island.
Lau said half of the country's population of hawksbill turtles nested in Malacca, and there was a need to gazette certain beaches.
"Despite Pulau Upeh having the largest population of hawksbill turtles in Peninsular Malaysia and second largest in Malaysia after Sabah Turtle Island, none of the beaches (on the island) have been gazetted as a sanctuary.
"There is a conflict of interest in terms of beach use between tourists, anglers and conservationists.
"Human activities are carried out at night, which make it difficult for turtles, that prefer dark spaces to lay their eggs."
Lau said this could be solved with discussions on ways to strike a balance between human activity and conservation.
Besides Pulau Upeh, other locations identified as hawksbill landing spots are the beach between Tanjung Bidara and Kuala Linggi, Padang Kemunting, Kem Terendak, Parit Batu, Pasir Gembur, Tanjung Serai, Meriam Patah, and Tanjung Dahan.
Lau said tourism could be spurred with the existence of wildlife sanctuaries if the authorities sat down with stakeholders.
"For instance, we could allow tourist activities to be carried out only until 6pm, and after that time, the beaches should be cleared for the comfort of turtles.
"Tourists can watch turtles in secluded areas.
"It could be a win-win scenario for both parties."
Lau said in the case of Padang Kemunting, there was no buffer area between the beach and coastal developments as chalets, restaurants and recreational parks were built close to turtles nesting sites.
In November 2012, WWF through the Malacca Fisheries Department had appealed to the state government to gazette the beaches as sanctuaries to help in the conservation of hawksbill turles.
However, the state government did not reply to the appeal.
"We are exploring new ways to reach out to the state government and we are also open to collaborating with them to help in the conservation of the hawksbill turtle," said Lau.
"It is of utmost importance as the population of hawksbill turtles in Malacca is half of the country's. We hope the state government can look into this and approve our proposal as soon as possible."
This year, the Fisheries Department has recorded 59 nests and collected 8,725 hawksbill eggs. The figure is expected to increase during the peak nesting season, between April and September.
Read more: WWF to refloat Malacca turtle sanctuary plan - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/wwf-to-refloat-malacca-turtle-sanctuary-plan-1.565511#ixzz2ypHfRKcD
