Marine Turtle status Report - Indian Ocean - South-East Asian ...

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4. Materials and MethodsThe assessment methodology used was based on Eckert et al. (1999) and wasadapted to suit the surveyed area.Three methods were used to qualitatively determine the species, distribution,abundance, season and threat to marine turtles:1. Semi-structured interviews with island communities, enforcement agencyofficers and resort operators,2. Walking beach survey, and3. Analysis of nesting data obtained from island community and resortoperators managing turtle hatcheries.4.1 Semi-structured interviews with island communities, enforcementagency officers and resort operatorsUpon entering a village, the head of village was approached, who then gatheredthe community members (15 to 20 members). The group responded to a series ofquestions on their observations of marine turtles, such as the nesting species,distribution, occurrence and seasonality of mating, egg-laying, and threats.Answers for each question were obtained through compiled responses. Theapproach for enforcement agencies (PGA and Army personnel) was similar to theisland communities, where the head of base camp (Sergeant or Major) wasapproached, who in turn gathered his personnel (3 to 15 persons).For resort operator staff, prior communication was made through e-mail orphone call to the relevant staff member followed by a visit to meet them on theislands. The staff included resort managers, marine biologists, dive masters andpatrollers.Four WWF-Malaysia staff were the survey team that conducted the interviews.4.2 Walking beach surveyThe presence of crawl, nesting pit or egg shell on the beach provides the mostdefinitive indicator of nesting areas. Species identification was made wheneverpossible and nests were characterised as fresh or old. Predominant threats, ifdiscernible (e.g., evidence of predation of eggs or beach erosion) were noted.Also, physical habitat features such as dominant vegetation type were recorded.For every nest found, a GPS coordinate was taken for map production.The survey team conducted the walking beach survey with assistance fromcommunity members or resort staff.12
4.3 Analysis of nesting data obtained from island community andresort operators managing turtle hatcheriesThe two resort operators and a local family involved in the turtle conservationprogramme were Reef Dive Resort and Tours Sdn. Bhd. on Mataking Island;Sipadan Pom-Pom Island Resort and Tours Sdn. Bhd. on Pom-Pom Island; andDatu Pengiran Ahmad bin Datu Ali Alam and his family on Pandanan Island.They built turtle hatcheries to overcome perceived and identified threats to turtleeggs; namely, nesting beach erosion, natural predators (monitor lizards, ghostcrab and ants) and poaching of eggs for food or sale. The hatcheries enabled easyand efficient monitoring and protection of the collected turtle eggs.The equipment used during the assessment include:1. GPS2. Camera with underwater housing3. Clipboard4. Pencil5. Data sheet6. Manual by Eckert et al. (1999)13
Page 6 and 7: AcknowledgementsWe wish to thank su
Page 8 and 9: Ringkasan EksekutifPerairan Daerah
Page 11 and 12: in individuals, parts, and derivati
Page 13 and 14: 2. Literature ReviewOf the seven ex
Page 15 and 16: 1993; Basintal, 2001), and on Matak
Page 17 and 18: Park)ThreatsIn Sipadan Island Park,
Page 19: Figure 2: Islands in the northeast
Page 23 and 24: 5.1.3 Location of nesting beach and
Page 25 and 26: 5.2 Walking beach surveyThe walking
Page 27 and 28: Figure 4: Boheyan Island19
Page 29 and 30: Figure 6: Timba-Timba Island21
Page 31 and 32: Figure 8: Pom-Pom Island23
Page 33 and 34: © WWF-Malaysia / Nina HoFigure 9:
Page 35 and 36: Number of nests of Green and Hawksb
Page 37 and 38: From February to June for the year
Page 39 and 40: About 13 nests have been recorded e
Page 41 and 42: Table 12: Summary of nesting data f
Page 43 and 44: May has the highest number for Gree
Page 45 and 46: Semporna PCA is home to Malaysia’
Page 47 and 48: Education and awareness: Many peopl
Page 49 and 50: de Silva, G. S. 1982a. The leathery
Page 51 and 52: Palaniappan, P. M. Andau, P. & Pede
Page 53 and 54: 8. AppendicesAppendix 1: Two marine
Page 55 and 56: Appendix 3: Turtle hatcheries built
Page 57 and 58: Appendix 5: Indicators of marine tu

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