LETTERS – We urge the authorities to boost enforcement over the use of destructive fishing nets in the east coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu. Regular spot checks should be conducted to curb the illegal use of such fishing nets, which has become the main threat to endangered sea turtles.
Damaging fishing nets include drift netting, bottom trawling, gillnets and purse-seine nets.
It was reported that 83 per cent of turtle deaths were caused by fishing nets. There were 153 cases of dead turtles reported from 2019 to 2021.
The use of destructive fishing nets is the main contributor to turtle fatality in Terengganu.
The authorities have to view this matter seriously since the coastline in Terengganu is the most popular turtle nesting ground in Malaysia, recording 25,106 turtle landings from 2016 to 2019.
Without strict enforcement, sea turtles will soon become extinct.
The authorities should also make it compulsory for fishermen to use turtle excluder devices to enable turtles that are trapped to escape.
Source: Nor Hashimah Binti Ishak (NST)
