Turtle

D. FUTURE PROSPECTS
For more than 100 million years, sea turtles have covered vast distances across the worlds oceans, filling a vital role in the balance of marine habitats. Sea turtles are a fundamental link in marine ecosystems. They help maintain the health of sea grass beds and coral reefs that benefit commercially valuable species such as shrimp, and lobster. Sea turtles are the live representatives of a group of reptiles that have existed on earth and travelled our seas for the last 100 million years. Sea turtles journey between land and sea and swim thousands of ocean miles during their long lifetimes, exposing them to countless threats. They wait decades until they can reproduce, returning to the same beaches where they were born to lay their eggs, few of which will yield hatchlings that survive their first years of life. Beyond these significance natural challenges, sea turtles face multiple threats caused by humans. These threats are overharvesting and illegal trade, habitat loss due to coastal development, climate change contributed by nature and human, pollution and also fisheries. Today the population of these turtles are at a critical stage with the population of some species of turtles had decreased by more than 99%. Drastic measures are taken by both government and non-government organization and also with the help of the public to save this delicate marine turtles from the brink of extinction. One major example of NGO is the WWF which stands for World Wild Fund. WWF works with local communities to reduce turtle harvesting and egg collection. Because exploitation of turtles is often driven by a lack of economic choices, WWF helps develop alternative livelihoods so that local people are no

longer dependent on turtle products for income. The organization also supports programs that promote the value of sea turtles. WWF has been supporting a campaign led by TRAFFIC to combat illegal trade of turtle products. To protect the marine turtle habitat, WWF also works around the world to establish marine protected areas, ensuring sea turtles have a safe place to nest, feed and migrate freely. The organization also connects with the government so that the government would strengthen legislation and provide funding for sea turtles protection programs. These efforts not only benefit the life of the marine turtles, but it also leads to ecotourism opportunities and offer alternative livelihoods. WWF also use the method of satellite tracking to track sea turtles as they swim from place to place. These satellite tags do not harm the turtles in any way and are designed to eventually fall off. The data will provide where the feeding areas are and help in understanding migration patterns, and anticipate where turtles may come in contact with fisheries and their gear. Malaysia is fortunate to host four species of marine turtles: Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill and Olive Ridley turtles. These gentle reptiles of the sea swim great distances and come on land only to nest. They are known for their longevity among local cultures. Sadly, the number of marine turtles in most places has plummeted and some population are on the verge of extinction. In Malaysia, the current project for WWF is to protect and manage the hawksbill turtle population in Malacca and their key habitats, through scientific and socially acceptable measures that can be sustained in long-term by the government and local communities. WWF has been working over the years with the government to facilitate the establishment of protected habitats for the turtles. They have also raised the awareness of local communities, in school and villages, towards turtle conservation.

Besides WWF, Malaysia also has a conservation society called the Turtle Conservation Society. This society held many educational programmes and awareness programmes. Their objectives are to protect the turtles by the help of communities. They also held volunteer programmes to help protect the nesting sites and help in incubation process, before the hatchlings are released. The Malaysian Government plays a very important role in supporting these organizations. Rules and regulations on coastal development are to be strengthened to prevent the buildings of factories near any beaches which are the main nesting sites for certain turtles. Lights and active human activities will chase away turtles from the shore and they will find another place to lay their eggs. With the law enforced, the survival of the turtles might be raised and their species would be saved. As a community, we can also contribute to the conservation of turtles. A few things that we can do are: 1. Never buy souvenirs made from turtles 2. Do not buy and create a demand for turtle eggs. 3. Ensure rubbish is properly disposed of. Plastic bags floating in the ocean are often mistaken for food, and when eaten, may cause a turtles death. 4. Do not light up fires or make noise on a nesting beach. These activities may disturb a nesting turtle. 5. Avoid using illegal, non-turtle friendly fishing devices. A turtle caught in fishing gear may drown and die. 6. Support turtle conservation efforts and pass on the conservation message to the community These efforts should be continued to ensure the survival this delicate reptile and to ensure their existence in the future generation. We should be

building future where human needs are met in harmony with nature. The ultimate goal is to achieve long-term and sustainable conservation impact in the country by conserving, restoring, and protecting this species for a living planet, for us, for our children and the generations to come.