How climate change is impacting turtles

Kota Kinabalu: According to WWF Malaysia Marine Species Strategy Manager Gavin Joris, Sabah’s sea turtles and their habitats are being significantly affected by climate change and rising sea levels. These environmental changes can lead to not only a reduction in nesting sites for sea turtles, but also the loss of nesting beaches due to erosion and flooding,” Gavin said in an interview with the Daily Express on sea turtle conservation in Sabah.

One of the key issues Gavin raised is the impact of rising global temperatures on the sex of turtle hatchlings. “Warmer temperatures tend to produce more female chicks, while cooler temperatures tend to produce more male chicks. This can skew the sex ratio in sea turtle populations, creating imbalances and reproductive “That could impact the success rate,” he said.

A community member from Tun Mustafa Park tagged a nesting female sea turtle. © Marine Program / WWF Malaysia

Gavin also expressed concern about coral reef bleaching caused by rising global temperatures. “This bleaching could result in the loss of feeding grounds for sea turtles, further impacting their survival and reproductive ability,” he said, adding that Sabah is working to address the impacts of climate change on sea turtles and their species. He added that several important initiatives are underway. Habitat.

One approach is the protection and restoration of coastal habitats through the establishment of marine protected areas and habitat restoration projects by authorities and non-governmental organizations. “These efforts aim to provide safe nesting beaches and feeding grounds for sea turtles and reduce habitat loss due to erosion and flooding due to sea level rise,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of continued monitoring and research by institutions and universities. “These efforts are essential to understanding the impacts of climate change on sea turtle populations and their habitat. “By studying trends and impacts, conservationists can make better decisions to protect these vulnerable species. We can develop effective strategies,” he said. He said Sabah has introduced adaptation strategies to help sea turtles cope with changing environmental conditions. “One such strategy is to move turtle nests to areas that are safer from flooding due to rising sea levels,” he said, adding that authorities and hatchery operators can ensure optimal nest hatching conditions. He added that appropriate shading is being implemented at turtle hatcheries to ensure this. He said. In addition to the effects of climate change, specific threats facing turtles in Sabah include coastal development, illegal poaching and harvesting of eggs and turtles, marine pollution, and bycatch (accidental capture in fishing gear). I can list it. “Although not officially recorded in Peninsular Malaysia or Sarawak, illegal poaching of sea turtles is a serious concern, especially in Sabah,” he said.

Kekar ​​Asli Tigab community members conduct nightly beach patrols on Tigab Island in Tun Mustafa Park. © Marine Program / WWF Malaysia

He said WWF Malaysia has played an active role in addressing the threats facing sea turtles through a combination of conservation efforts. “One key strategy is to assist state governments and agencies in establishing and managing protected areas, such as nesting beaches, feeding grounds, and migration routes, to protect critical turtle habitat.” “These sanctuaries help provide safe space for sea turtles to nest, feed and roam, thereby contributing to their long-term survival,” he said. Additionally, WWF Malaysia is working with the private sector, such as resort operators, and local communities to raise awareness about the importance of sea turtle conservation. “By enabling these stakeholders to participate in conservation activities, WWF Malaysia aims to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for the conservation of sea turtles and their habitats. “Initiatives include developing alternative income opportunities for local communities that reduce reliance on activities that may harm sea turtles,” he said. Another aspect of WWF Malaysia’s activities is to support efforts to strengthen law enforcement measures to combat illegal poaching and trafficking of turtles and their products. “This includes providing training and capacity building to enforcement agencies and fostering cooperation with authorities to prosecute offenders,” he said. He said WWF-Malaysia is working with communities and authorities in Semporna and Tun Mustafa Parks to protect sea turtle nesting sites through various approaches. “One of our key strategies is to engage and empower communities through workshops, awareness and education programs,” he said. “These initiatives aim to raise awareness about the importance of turtle conservation and encourage local residents to actively participate in protecting their nesting sites.” We also provide training and capacity-building programs to equip local communities with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively monitor and protect nests, including nest identification, protection methods and data collection techniques. It includes training and will enable communities to take a more active role in turtle conservation,” he said. In addition to training, WWF Malaysia will facilitate the establishment of community-based monitoring programs. “These programs allow local communities to actively monitor turtle nesting and immediately report any illegal activity or threats to nesting sites. It will help authorities and conservationists intervene in a timely manner to protect the species,” he said. He also works closely with relevant government agencies and authorities such as the Sabah Wildlife Department and Sabah Parks to assist in the management and enforcement of regulations related to turtle conservation and their habitat in Semporna and Tun Mustafa Parks. He said he is doing so. Mr Gavin said the collaboration between the Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Parks, local communities, NGOs and the private sector to protect turtle nests and nesting beaches in Semporna and Tun Mustafa Parks had a huge impact. . “Through these partnerships, we have greatly contributed to increasing the number of green and hawksbill turtle chicks and ensuring the survival of hatchling sea turtles in the region,” he said, adding that Tun Mustafa Park He added that the efforts had achieved remarkable results. “Initially, only one coast was monitored and fewer than five nests were recorded per year. Thanks to community and NGO efforts, the number of monitored beaches has expanded to more than 10 by 2023. nests have been recorded,” he said. Similarly, Semporna has seen significant positive changes in turtle nesting activity over the years. Initially, only two beaches were monitored, he said, resulting in fewer than 100 nests per year in 2009.

“However, as of 2023, local communities, NGOs and resort operators on Mataking Island, Pom Pom Island, Mabul Island, Omadal Island and other islands have expanded their monitoring operations to more than eight beaches. “This expansion has resulted in a significant increase in nesting activity, with more than 800 green turtle nests recorded annually,” he said.