NASRAWATI SYARIFUDDIN New Straits Times 19 Feb 18;
SEMPORNA: Three mutilated green turtles were found floating near the renowned Pulau Mabul diving spot near here, this morning.
This came after shocking reports of pictures taken by tourists yesterday of landings of 15 giant rays, including a vulnerable ray species - the oceanic manta (Manta birostris), as well as a shark, at the popular island.
The 9.20am discovery was made by a part-time photographer, who was bringing a group of Chinese tourists to a nearby island.
The turtles with their stomach ripped apart were floating about two kilometres away from Mabul.
The photographer, who wished to be known only as Joe, could not remove the turtle carcasses from the location because he was worried the tourists would get uncomfortable seeing marine life killed.
"This can damage the image of Semporna, which is known for its rich marine life and ecosystem in the tourism sector," he said.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga confirmed receiving information about the mutilated turtles.
"We have sent our officers to investigate the matter. I have thought with several individuals being sentenced to jail (for turtle poaching), this problem would not reccur.
“But, it looks like there are still (turtle) poachers in the (Semporna) district," he said.
In Sept last year, hundreds of bones from dead sea turtle carcasses were found scattered in some bushes on Pulau Bum Bum off Semporna.
The discovery was made by a team from the Wildlife Department investigating a report about dead sea turtles being spotted on a beach on the island.
The bones were found near Kampung Pantau-Pantau, Kampung Amboh-Amboh and Kampung Sampolan on the island.
The following month, another seven turtle carcasses, with their stomach exposed, were found floating in waters near Mabul.
A group of islanders, who made the discovery at night, pulled the carcasses to a secluded area away from a resort to avoid drawing attention.
In mid-October last year, two Filipino men were sentenced to a four-year imprisonment and fined RM150,000 after they pleaded guilty to possessing turtle shells an plastrons without permit.
Last month, another Filipino man was sent to three years in prison and fined RM60,000 for possessing turtle shells.
