TURTLES, TIOMAN`S NEW ATTRACTION

NOREHAN SALEH


PULAU TIOMAN (Malaysia), June 3 (Bernama) -- The world renowned Pulau
Tioman, famed for its breath-taking scenic tourism spots, now has another
tourist attraction.

Tioman Island is a small island located 32 km off the east coast of
Peninsular Malaysia in the state of Pahang, and is some 39 km long and 12 km
wide. The densely forested island is sparsely inhabited, and is surrounded by
numerous coral reefs, making it a popular scuba diving spot. There are also a
lot of resorts and chalets around the island.


This time, it is in the form of turtles, which are the Karah or Hawksbill
(Eretmochelys Imbricata) and Agar or Green (Chelonia Mydas) species.

According to the fisheries authorities, 90 turtle egg laying nests were
found on the island last year where 60 percent of the eggs were successfully
hatched.

Realising the need to conserve the turtle population on the island, the
fisheries authorities decided to establish another turtle hatchery at the cost
of RM25,000 located at Teluk Sri Intan beach on Pulau Tioman.

TURTLE POPULATION

Fisheries Director-General Junaidi Ayob said the department’s choice
of the spot is due to the frequent landings of turtles at the site.

"We decided to establish the hatchery in an effort to conserve the turtle
population at Pulau Tioman", he said.

According to Junaidi, the turtles usually made their way to the island’s
shores between March and October.

"We also hope the islanders play their role towards assisting efforts to
conserve the turtle population", he told Bernama recently.

Junaidi said the latest hatchery, named the "Tengku Arif Temenggung (TAT)
Sanctuary Teluk Sri Intan", is the third of such facilities at the island.

The other two hatcheries are located at Teluk Baruk and Pasir Mentawak,
Kampung Juara, Pulau Tioman.

TAT SANCTUARY TELUK SRI INTAN

TAT Sanctuary Teluk Sri Intan was the brainchild of the Pahang Palace that
wished to see the conservation of the marine reptiles.

Hence, the department extended technical assistance to make the conservation
programme a success, said Junaidi.

He said two of the Green and Agar turtles had landed on the island last
April 27 and May 7, laying a total of 195 eggs at Teluk Sri Intan beach.

"Before this, 1,800 turtle eggs were buried at the beach and some 100
hatchlings were released in the waters there", he said.

TURTLE CONSERVATION

At Teluk Sri Intan beach, the turtle eggs were transferred into sand-filled
styrofoam boxes for the hatching process.

The boxes would then be buried between 45 and 60 cm for incubation in sand
at the turtle nests.

The nests would then be encircled with a mesh of wire fencing to protect the
turtle eggs from predators like monitor lizards. A board denoting the turtle
species, date of egg laying and the number of eggs would be placed at each of
the turtle nests.

The eggs would hatch after 45 to 60 days later and the hatchlings would be
released at sea during the night in an effort to reduce the threat posed by
predators like eagles and sharks.

MORE LOCATIONS

Junaidi said the department has identified more spots on Pulau Tioman that
could be possible turtle landing zones.

"The locations are at Pantai Pasir Munjur, Teluk Saing and Teluk Penut. We
hope that this turtle conservation effort would lure more tourists to visit the
island", he said.

The Ruler of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah officiated the opening of the
hatchery last May 9. At the function, the Sultan also incubated nine turtle eggs
and released nine hatchlings into the sea.

-- BERNAMA