KUALA TERENGGANU: The Turtle and Marine Ecosystem Centre (Tumec) is going full swing in its crusade to ensure that four species of turtles known to land on Malaysian shores don’t end up as history. 

For a start, Tumec chief Kamarruddin Ibrahim told The Star they had started culturing “glacillaria” seaweed, a type of feed for turtles and dugongs, to be put in the seabed off the islands here. 

“This is a pilot project in a bid to improve the food quality of marine life and hopefully turtles will be attracted to our shores in search of this feed.” 

Kamarruddin said the seaweed would be cultured in Rantau Abang, and after completion of research on several aspects, it would be transferred to strategic locations where turtles are sighted. 

Tumec is striving to maintain the landings of three species – Green Turtles, Olive Ridleys and Hawksbills – now that the Leatherbacks (Dermochelys Coriacea) seem to be turning their backs on Terengganu. 

Kamarruddin said the second measure was to increase the male population of leatherbacks and other species, with the male:female ratio now standing at 1:4.  He said that global warming might be the main factor for the dwindling number of males. 

Kamarruddin said the natural incubator site in Redang was one of the spots where turtles eggs were kept to try to achieve a balanced sex ratio.

He explained that eggs at chiller spots, with temperatures between 27°C and 29°C, would produce male turtles. 

He said the hatchlings were released in Redang as part of a long-term conservation plan. Turtles generally return to where they are released to lay their eggs. 

Tumec has also initiated several programmes like turtle-nesting area management, population monitoring, supervision and intense enforcement. 

Under the turtle-nesting area programme, 33 turtle egg-laying zones have been identified and villagers have been hired to assist authorities to keep a vigil for poachers. 

The state also recorded five leatherback landings last year with 376 eggs laid, 2,522 Green Turtle landings (224,719 eggs), four Hawksbill landings (323 eggs) and none by the Olive Ridley turtles. 

In 2005, there was only one Leatherback landing with 90 eggs, 1,188 Green Turtle landings (101,326 eggs), eight Hawksbill landings (992 eggs) and none by the Olive Ridleys. 

The State Agriculture and Regional Development Committee chairman recently announced that the Fisheries Department had begun buying turtle eggs from 15 authorized turtle egg collectors at RM2.50 each for Leatherbacks, RM2.00 each for Olive Ridley and RM1.70 for Green Turtle.