SUNSHINE @ 360°: Dead Turtles Washed Ashore

Leatherback hatchling making its way towards the ocean.
Copyright : National Geographic

It is really bugging conservationists on the increasing numbers of dead turtles washed ashore just recently. We have already put leatherback turtles population at stake and now, the hawksbill and green turtles' future are in jeopardized state.

Read on, please?

3rd turtle found dead in less than 21 days

Dead turtles trouble conservationists

Dead turtles worry conservationists

Malaysia, being one the major nesting sites for the turtles have suffered an adverse effect of decreasing nesting turtles in recent decades.

Why we end up at this alarming state?

Copyright : Greenpeace

Copyright : Heal the Bay - The Pacific Protection Initiative

Copyright : NESCB

Should we blame it on development?

Where land reclamation has long gone its boundary and claim the nest of these poor creatures on sandy beaches. Pollution and rubbish dumping had made it difficult to sustain the turtle population. The leatherback turtles feed on jellyfish and they can easily mistaken plastic bags as their food source because of the similarity. Please take a brief moment to consider to manage waste disposal and help others understand why is it important to do so. Use less plastics and opt to say NO to plastics.

Should we blame it on fishing activities?

Where illegal and destructive fishing method are still in practice. The government had not been dynamic in updating their portfolio to track and take legal actions against those who violate fishing laws. Trawling and ghost fishing often causes these slow-moving turtles to get entangled in the fishing lines. Cyanide bombing not only caused damaging effects towards coral reefs but also, the corresponding community in the ocean. The thought that our ocean is a big basin being capable to dilute and dissolve all chemicals in it are SO SO WRONG!

Should we blame it on the local community?

Where some people here are ignorant and continue to consume turtle's eggs. Believing that they have virility properties made it more sought-after. Being near to these nesting shores, they have direct access to steal eggs after these poor mothers laid their eggs (>100 per nest depending on species). This leads to uncontrollable amount of poaching activities. In the past, it is still sustainable to eat their eggs when the nesting turtles are abundant.

But now......

Should we blame it on the public?

People are not fully aware of the current happenings taking place here. These turtles are important as a part of the ecosystem - losing them causes a huge alteration in the ocean food chain. That's really NOT GOOD. Have you all heard of TAMY (previously known as SEATRU)? Maybe you should all consider chipping in to help these turtles while you still can! You won't know how long more that we are fortunate enough to sight them.

Should we blame it on the government?

Although the turtle endangered issue had been brought to the attention of state government to govern a rule to ban selling of the turtle eggs, the journey seem endless. Perhaps they are not even trying to apprehend the issue of losing one of nature's most valuable creatures. One of the reasons - the local community consume turtle eggs like how normal people eat chicken eggs daily. If they had been concern enough to make a stand and protect these tourist attractions treasures, we would not have to see what's happening to them these days.