KUALA TERENGGANU: The carcass of an grownup male inexperienced turtle (penyu agar) was found floating in waters off Pulau Kapas close to Marang at 11am on Saturday (Jan 22).
Terengganu Fisheries Department director Ruzaidi Mamat stated it was the tenth turtle death recorded since Jan 3.
“The turtle, which is 80cm lengthy and 69cm huge, is believed to have died because of drowning after it was trapped in a internet and its carcass was buried in Pulau Kapas,” he stated when contacted by Bernama at this time.
The first turtle death reported in Terengganu this 12 months was on Jan 3 at Pantai Penunjuk Kijal close to Kemaman, adopted by two grownup feminine inexperienced turtles at separate areas at Chendering port, Kuala Terengganu and Seberang Takir in Kuala Nerus on Jan 12.
The fourth and fifth deaths have been reported on Jan 13, additionally in two separate areas, specifically a child inexperienced turtle in Pulau Kerengga, Marang and an grownup male inexperienced turtle in Paka.
The sixth and seventh deaths have been recorded at Pantai Batu Buruk in Kuala Terengganu and Seberang Takir in Kuala Nerus involving two grownup male inexperienced turtles on Jan 14, whereas the eighth death occurred on Jan 18 in Kijal and the ninth death was reported on Jan 20 in Pantai Kemasik.
He suggested the general public to name the Fishcom 24 hours hotline at 03-88885019 or 03-88704058 instantly in the event that they discover a stay or useless turtle stranded on the seaside.
Meanwhile, turtle conservation activist and founding father of Marang Turtle Conservation Rani Awang, 56, stated an in depth investigation needs to be finished by the Fisheries Department to establish the reason for the animal’s death which occurred incessantly in a brief interval.
“Many turtles conservation programmes have been undertaken through the years, together with by non-governmental organisations to make sure the sustainability of marine treasures and it has confirmed profitable with the discharge of child turtles which are growing over time.
“However, it’s fairly unlucky as a result of the death charge at sea has additionally elevated and we wish this to be investigated critically to stop it from recurring,” he stated. – Bernama
