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Marine turtles in Malaysia: On the verge of extinction? Eng-Heng Chan Turtle Research and Rehabilitation Unit, Institute o f Oceanography, Kolej Universiti Sains dan Teknologi Malaysia (KUSTEM), 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia E-mail: [email protected]
Four species o f marine turtles (leatherback, green turtle, hawksbill and olive ridley) are found in Malaysia. Current statistics indicate that the leatherback and olive ridley turtles are on the verge o f extinction in Malaysia; while other species, excluding the green turtles o f the Sabah Turtle Islands, are in steady decline. Consumptive utilization in the form o f egg exploitation until recently, took place mainly in Terengganu. Turtles are also being used to promote tourism in Terengganu and Sabah. Population decline is attributed to a long history o f egg exploitation, commercial hunting and harvesting o f marine turtles in neighbouring countries, fishing mortality, loss o f nesting habitats, marine pollution, negative impacts o f tourism and the lack o f a national strategy on marine turtle conservation. Marine turtle conservation efforts in Malaysia are not lacking, but need to be upgraded and coordinated. Legislation among the various states o f Malaysia should be harmonized to ensure greater protection for these endangered animals. Existing egg incubation programmes should be expanded to secure a higher level of egg protection. More sanctuaries should be established in key nesting sites and Malaysia should join her neighbours in ratifying current regional instruments aimed at marine turtle conservation.
Keywords: nesting trends, population threats, utilization, management and conservation
Introduction management and conservation measures under taken locally and regionally to help restore the Marine turtles rank among the better-known populations. sea creatures in Malaysia, with a conservation history dat ing back to the 1950’s. They have been well studied and much has been written about them in the localMalaysian species media, popular magazines, as well as in scientific jour nals (see Chan, 1991; Chan and Liew, 1996, 2002a; Four of the seven extant species of marine turtles Chan and Shepherd, 2002; Liew, 1999). Notwithoccur in Malaysia (Figures 1 and 2). standing, the survival of these animals, like manyThe leatherback turtleDermochelys ( coriacea) other wildlife, is threatened. Some species like thenests primarily on the mainland beaches of Tereng leatherback and olive ridley turtles are on the vergeganu, of along a 15 km stretch of beach centred in extinction, while other species struggle to survive inRantau the Abang. The green turtleChelonia ( mydas) is face of continued exploitation and other anthropogenicmore widely distributed, with the most important nest threats. ing populations occurring in the Sabah and Sarawak This chapter will provide a brief introducTurtle Islands. Other nesting beaches can be found in tion to the species of marine turtles foundTerengganu in (mainly in Redang and Perhentian Islands, Malaysia, current status of nesting density, nestingKemaman and Kerteh), Pahang (Chendor and Cherat- trends, utilization, causes of population decline,ing), and Perak (Pantai Remis) and Sipadan Island in Sabah.
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Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 9(2): 175—184, 2006. Copyright © 2006 AEHMS. ISSN: 1463-4988 print / 1539-4077 online DOI: 10.1080/14634980600701559 176 Chan/Aquatic Ecosystem Health an
Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback turtle) Lepidochelys olivacea (Olive ritfey turtle)
Eretmochelys (Hawksbtii imbricata turtle) Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle)
Figure 1. Marine turtles of Malaysia. Adapted from a poster by the Queensland Department of Environmental Heritage.
The hawksbill turtle(Eretmochelys imbricata) has Johore and elsewhere. The nesting status of the olive ri only two remaining important nesting populations,dley(Lepidochelys in olivacea) is fragmentary, with iso the Sabah Turtle Islands (principally Gulisaan Island)lated cases of nesting reported in the Sarawak Turtle and Melaka, with remnant populations in Terengganu,Islands, Penang, Terengganu and Kelantan (Figure 2). Chan/Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 9 (2006) 175-184 111
Turtle / Islands
Island South China Sea
H Sarawak Sie&dm Turtle Island L « KUALA I s lan d s \ LUMPUR 1
= Green Turtle fj = Haivksbill Turtle 0 = Olive Ridley Turtle L= Leatherback Turtle
Figure 2. Marine turtle nesting sites in Malaysia.
Current population status sufficiently to provide a clear picture of the nesting trends, but anecdotal evidence suggests declines of over and nesting trends 80%. Current nesting density averages 2,000 per year The population status of marine turtles is measured(Figure 6). by the number of nests produced by the various speciesNesting trends in the green turtles of the Sarawak per year, a figure that can be conveniently determinedTurtle Islands over the last 30 years appear to be in equi by counting the number of nests deposited on thelibrium, nest with two to three thousand nestings occurring ing beaches. This figure does not provide an indicationper year (Figure 7). However, in the early 50’s, nest of the actual population size since it measures onlyings the of over 20,000 per year were recorded, indicating mature female turtles that ascend the beaches to lay bea decline of over 90% (Tisen and Bali, 2000). tween four to six clutches of eggs per nesting season.Only the green turtle populations of the Sabah Turtle The turtles do not nest every year, with each nestingIslands have staged a recovery, with current densities cycle separated by an interval of two to eight years.of over 8,000 nestings per year representing a three Except for the Sabah populations, most nestingfold increase over levels recorded in the early 1980’s trends are in decline. The most dramatic declines are(Figure 8). This remarkable recovery is attributed to exhibited in the leatherbacks, hawksbills and olivebold rid conservation decisions made by the Sabah Gov ley s of Terengganu where current nesting numbersernment in more than 20 years ago in the 1970’s when the dicate that these species are virtually extinct (FiguresTurtle 3 Islands were compulsorily acquired from private to 5). Available records indicate that the leatherbackownership to provide complete protection to the nest population has plummeted from 10,000 annualing nest turtles and their eggs on the islands. However, the ings in the early 1950’s to less than a dozen in recenthawksbill populations in Sabah have not fared as well years (Chan, 1991, 2004; Chan and Liew, 1996, 2001).and appear to have declined steadily over the last ten Although historical data is not available for the hawks-years (Figure 9). Currently, nesting density ranges from bill and olive ridleys of Terengganu, their declines400 are to 500 per year. The other hawksbill nesting popu no less dramatic than the leatherbacks. Green turtlelation of importance occurs in Melaka where over 250 populations in Terengganu have not been monitorednests per year can still be found (Figure 10). 178 Chan/Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 9 (2006) 175-184
800
600
~ 400
200
1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year
Figure 3. Nesting trends in leatherback turtles, Terengganu.
140
120
100 U)
(/> 20 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year Figure 4. Nesting trends in hawksbill turtles, Terengganu. 500 400 300 200 100 0 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year Figure 5.Nesting trends in olive ridley turtles, Terengganu. Chan/Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 9 (2006) 175-184 6000 5000 w 4000 Ui I 3000 2000 1000 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year Figure 6.Nesting trends in green turtles, Terengganu. 5000 4000 g, 3000 C M\ Z 2000 1000 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 Year Figure 7.Nesting trends in green turtles, Sarawak Turtle Islands. 12000 10000 g> 8000 Sabah Turtle Islands c 6000 - %Q) Z 4000 2000 Sipadan 1970 1980 1990 2000 Year Figure 8. Nesting trends in green turtles, Sabah. 180 Chan/Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 9 (2006) 175-184 1000 800 S) 600 o 400 200 1970 1980 1990 2000 Year Figure 9. Nesting trends in hawksbill turtles, Sabah Turtle Islands. Utilization Turtle watching is popular as turtles are non- aggressive and can be watched at close range if the Although marine turtles have been used for decadestourists are controlled. Tourists visit Selingaan Island by the people of Southeast Asia in many differentin the Sabah Turtle Islands primarily for the purpose ways, utilization in Malaysia has traditionally cenof watching nesting turtles and the release of hatch tered around egg exploitation and more recently,lings. in In Sipadan Island, Sabah, diving with the turtles the tourism and educational arenas. Widespread comconstitutes one of the major attractions. A few hotels mercial egg collection in Terengganu took place along un the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia utilize turtle til as recently as 2004 where the local governmentwatching as one of their selling points. Recently, public used to issue licenses to the local villagers by teneducational components have been incorporated into der. The income generated has been estimated at noturtle conservation projects. The long-term tagging and more than RM 100,000 per year, approximately $27,in-situ incubation project conducted by the Turtle Re 000 US., (Chan and Shepherd, 2002). However, comsearch and Rehabilitation Unit of Kolej Universiti Sains mercial egg exploitation in the state has been curbeddan Teknologi Malaysia (KUSTEM) has developed a since 2005 when major nesting beaches were declaredsuccessful volunteer programme through which mem sanctuaries. bers of the public are given an insight and hands-on 500 400 co 300 cUi ’’H a>CO Z 200 100 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year Figure 10. Nesting trends in hawksbill turtles, Melaka. Chan/Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 9 (2006) 175-184 181 experience in a grass-roots turtle conservation projectRedang Island, Terengganu and the Sarawak Turtle Is (Chan and Liew, 2002b). This idea has been adaptedlands migrate to near-shore feeding grounds occurring by the Fisheries Department in the Ma’Daerah Turtlein the territorial waters of countries bordering the South Sanctuary in Terengganu where the public can spendChina Sea as well as the Sulu-Sulawesi Sea (Liew et al., a weekend at the sanctuary watching and interacting1995; Bali et al., 2002). with the turtles. The fishing industry is well established in coastal areas where turtle nesting occurs. Fishing gear such as Causes of population decline trawl nets, drift nets, fish traps, long lines, purse seines, ray nets (pukat pari), lift nets, and even beach seines A long history of intensive egg exploitation hashave been been identified to impact sea turtles (Chan and named as one of the major causes of populationLiew, de 2001). Rate of capture in Terengganu was high cline. In Terengganu and Sarawak where hatchery inpro the past where over 700 turtles were estimated to grammes have been in place since the 50’s and 60’s,drown in trawl nets each year (Chan et al., 1988), com continued egg harvest for many decades has led topared the to more recent estimates of 50 turtles drowning failure to protect sufficient numbers of marine turtleper year (Chan and Liew, 2001). Fishing mortality is eggs required for population maintenance. Governmentcorroborated by standings of turtles (Figure 11) where sanctioning of commercial sale of turtle eggs in thea total of 188 carcasses attributed to incidental capture markets in Terengganu have also encouraged smugin fishing gear have been recovered from the beaches of gling of turtle eggs from places where its sale and exTerengganu between 1990-95 (Ramli and Hiew, 1999). ploitation have been banned. Fishing mortality occurs not only in inshore territorial In Malaysia, the practice of hunting and slaughteringwaters, but in the high seas as well which are traversed of turtles for their meat or other products does notby exist. the turtles during their long-distance migrations be However, commercial harvesting of turtles in neightween feeding and nesting grounds. bouring countries can impact local populations sinceLoss of nesting habitats is expected in Malaysia marine turtles are highly migratory. Satellite trackingwhere prime beaches are being developed for tourism. studies have demonstrated that green turtles that nestExcept in in places where turtle sanctuaries have been Figure 11. Author measuring a green turtle carcass stranded in Chendering, Terengganu in April 2002. 182 Chan/Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 9 (2006) 175-184 established (e.g., Sabah and Sarawak Turtle Islands;dinance 1998 (Tisen and Bali, 2000; Under this ordi Rantau Abang, Ma’Daerah and major nesting beachesnance, exploitation and trade in all marine turtles, their in Perhentian and Redang Islands in Terengganu),eggs and any derivative or their parts, are prohibited), beachfront development threatens other existingand nest Sabah which prohibits commercial exploitation of ing beaches. Pulau Upeh in Melaka, an important nestmarine turtles and their eggs, legislation in the other ing site for the only remaining hawksbill populationstates of is inadequate. There is no uniformity and in most importance in Peninsular Malaysia has also beenof re Peninsular Malaysia, all marine turtle eggs (except cently sold to a private conglomerate for developmentleatherback eggs in Terengganu and Pahang) are freely (Kevin and Sharma, personal communication). and legally traded in the local markets, except in Perak Marine pollution can degrade feeding groundsand and Melaka. There is thus a need at the federal level impact marine turtles. There is ample evidence of polto review and harmonize all existing state legislature lution and persistent debris in the South Chinainto Sea a new and effective legislation for adoption by all (Law and Rahimi, 1986; Chan et al., 1996; Chan andstates. Liew, 2003), although no studies have been conductedTwo fisheries laws are currently in effect for the off locally to determine the interactions. Organochlorineshore protection of marine turtles (Chan, 1993). The compounds, heavy metals, hydrocarbons and radionuFisheries Regulations (Prohibition of Fishing Meth clides have been found in the eggs and tissues ofods) sev 1985, Amendment 1989 bans the use of large eral species of marine turtles in the US, Ascension meshIs (exceeding 24/5 cm) sunken gili nets for the cap land and France, but their physiological effects areture not of rays. The Fisheries (Prohibited Areas) (Rantau known (National Research Council, 1990). PersistentAbang) Regulations 1991 created an offshore sanctuary debris is of serious concern as numerous cases ofin ac Rantau Abang where fishing activities are regulated cidental ingestion of plastic bags and entanglementduring in the nesting seasons. Enforcement is important monofilament fishing line and discarded fishingif nets these regulations are to be effective. have been documented (National Research Council,Malaysia has a long history of turtle egg protec 1990). tion programmes, compared to other South East Asian Marine turtles can be used to promote tourismcountries. in Egg incubation in hatcheries was initiated in a non-consumptive way. However, negative impactsthe early 1950’s in Sarawak and 1960’s in Terengganu become evident when guidelines for turtle conservaand Sabah, 1971 in Pahang and early 1990’s in Melaka tion are not adequately laid down or mandated.and Over- Perak. Except for the Sabah populations, most of developmentof fragile islands thatprovide nestingthese sites efforts have not been manifested in population for marine turtles can quickly lead to the destructionrecovery of because of inadequate numbers of eggs pro nesting as well as feeding habitats. Increased speedboattected. Other factors, such as incubation of the eggs at traffic is often associated increased mortalities ofturtlestemperatures leading to all male, or all female hatch caused by propeller hits. Activities such as snorkelingings, and loss of adult populations of turtles through and scuba diving can be incompatible with turtles whenfishing and pollution, are also serious issues. However, tourists are ill informed and negatively impact turtlesSabah started protecting close to 100% of the green in the water by handling, grabbing, or riding them.turtle eggs deposited in the early 1970’s (see section One of the causes of population decline can onbe at nesting trends) followed by Sarawak in 1999. Level tributed to lack of coordinated efforts between theof var egg protection in Terengganu has increased signif ious agencies which undertake turtle conservationicantly pro since 2005 when all major nesting beaches in grammes, and the lack of a national policy or strategicthe state were declared sanctuaries. Turtle conserva plan on marine turtle conservation. tionists advocate that in healthy populations, at least 70% of the eggs deposited must be incubated to ensure population sustainability. In impoverished populations, Conservation and management it is imperative that 100% of the eggs be protected to measures provide hope for population recovery. Turtle sanctuaries have been established at some key The management and conservation of marine turtlesnesting locations shown in Table 1. In order to secure comes under the purview of state governments, all some nesting sites of significance and to prevent them of which have legislation specifically for this purpose.from further degradation, more sanctuaries should be However, except for Sarawak which has updatedestablished con at the locations shown in Table 2. As long servation measures under the Wildlife Protectionas Or important nesting sites are not accorded sanctuary Chan /Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 9 (2006) 175-184 183 Table 1. Turtle sanctuaries that have been established in Malaysia.and Southeast Asia was concluded in 2001. Malaysia has yet to ratify the latter. At the global level, the Con Year vention on International Trade in Endangered Species State Name of sanctuary establishedof Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), of which Malaysia Terengganu Rantau Abang Turtle 1988 is party, serves to curb international trade of marine Sanctuary turtles and their parts. Ma’ Daerah Turtle 2003 Sanctuary Acknowledgements Nesting beaches on 2005 Redang Island The author is indebted to the Fisheries Department Nesting beaches on 2005 of Malaysia, Sabah Parks Authority, the Wildlife De Perhentian Island partment of Sabah and the Sarawak Forestry Depart Sabah Turtle Islands Park 1984 ment for providing statistics on turtle nesting density. Sarawak Talang-Satang National 1999 Figures and graphs were produced with the help of Mr. Park Jeremy Liew Jee Weng. Professor Fatimah Yusoff of Universiti Putra Malaysia is thanked for her patience in awaiting the preparation of this chapter. status, development will take place and render them unsuitable for turtle nesting. References Public education and awareness is often cited as an important issue in endangered species conservaBali, J. H., Liew, H. C., Chan, E. H., Tisen, O. B., 2002. Long dis tance migration of green turtles from the Sarawak Turtle Islands, tion. 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