GREEN SEA TURTLE POPULATION AT RISK AMID RISING MALE MORTALITY

By Muhammad Faizal Nazmi Mohd Haran

KUALA TERENGGANU, March 26 (Bernama) -- Despite 2025 being in its early months, the rising number of green sea turtle deaths in Terengganu has reached an alarming level, with the state Fisheries Department recording 20 cases between January and March.

On March 15, media reported that, in less than 31 hours, three male green sea turtle carcasses were discovered stranded along Pantai Chakar Hutan, with one showing wounds suspected to be caused by entanglement in a fisherman’s stingray net.

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Despite ongoing conservation efforts to protect marine life, the rising death toll tells a different story, with nine cases recorded in March, compared with five in February and six in January.

This situation marks a stark contrast to the previous year, when only five turtle deaths were recorded over five months. The sharp rise in fatalities - predominantly among male turtles - signals an escalating threat to the species.

According to Wan Zuriana Wan Sulaiman, Turtle Conservation project manager at the Marine Conservation and Research Organisation Malaysia (PULIHARA), at Pantai Chakar Hutan, Kemaman, the dwindling number of male turtles is a serious concern, as it poses a significant risk to the species' survival.

This situation hampers the fertilisation process among female turtles. While they may still come ashore to lay eggs, the absence of viable male counterparts results in undeveloped eggs which cannot hatch.

Wan Zuriana cited the leatherback turtles in Rantau Abang, Dungun, which were declared functionally extinct in 2008, due to a lack of mature male turtles returning for mating. Although leatherback turtles still exist in other areas, they do not migrate to Rantau Abang, as turtles instinctively return to the sites where they were first released into the sea.

Adding to the concern, the ongoing hot weather across the country is further threatening turtle survival. Elevated temperatures have led to a reduced number of male hatchlings at marine conservation centres, worsening the species' already precarious situation.

Given these alarming trends, Wan Zuriana stressed that turtle conservation efforts must not be taken lightly. Without immediate intervention, other turtle species could face the same fate as the leatherbacks. The loss of these marine reptiles, she warned, could disrupt the balance of the marine ecosystem, and pose a risk to food security.

Referring to the domino effect caused by the extinction of leatherback turtles, she highlighted the surge in the jellyfish population, which poses a significant threat to fish growth and reproduction. This imbalance could ultimately impact the nation's food security.

“With the disappearance of an apex predator like the leatherback turtle, jellyfish populations are rapidly multiplying. Combined with rising global temperatures, their reproduction rate is accelerating, which will inevitably affect food availability for humans," he explained.

“The increase in jellyfish could negatively impact the country’s tourism industry, particularly in island destinations which might be forced to close temporarily. For instance, the recent discovery of the Portuguese Man O' War jellyfish on several islands in Terengganu presents a potentially fatal risk,” she said.

Determined to prevent Pantai Chakar Hutan from suffering the same fate as Rantau Abang, PULIHARA is committed to ensuring the survival of marine turtles. One of its key conservation efforts involves regular patrols along the 1.4-kilometre coastline.

According to Wan Zuriana, these patrols help locate female turtles which come ashore to lay eggs, allowing conservationists to safely transfer the eggs to hatcheries. Additionally, PULIHARA conducts outdoor education programmes, to raise awareness among school students and local communities.

The programmes, she said, seek to educate the public on the importance of preserving marine life, particularly turtles, which are a vital symbol of Terengganu. This initiative is crucial, as awareness of turtle conservation remains low within the community.

“Many people still do not understand the significance of protecting turtles, or the dire consequences of their extinction. Through this programme, we highlight the urgent need to halt the sale and consumption of turtles and their eggs, as these practices are accelerating their decline,” she explained.

“At the same time, we call on all parties, especially fishermen, to refrain from using stingray and trawl nets, which pose a severe threat to turtles,” she said.

She added that PULIHARA is actively monitoring hawksbill and green sea turtles - both critically endangered species - on Lang Tengah Island and Tanjung Jara Beach, Dungun.

--BERNAMA