Johor conservation efforts produce about 5,000 turtle hatchlings a year

Johor's ongoing conservation efforts for turtles have led to an estimated 5,000 hatchlings annually, according to Rosmawati Ghazali, director of the Johor Department of Fisheries. The main turtle nesting sites in Johor include Pulau Apil, Pulau Dayang, Pulau Besar, and Pulau Tinggi. Pulau Tinggi has the highest number of hatchlings, likely due to its isolated location and reduced human interference, which lowers the risk of predation from species such as dogs and monitor lizards.

However, Rosmawati highlighted that turtle eggs left to hatch naturally are highly susceptible to predation, prompting the department to transfer eggs from nesting sites to hatcheries for more intensive monitoring. She explained that this precautionary measure is crucial because only one in every 1,000 turtle hatchlings survive to maturity. To address this, the department focuses on conservation programs, including educational initiatives and awareness campaigns targeting local communities.

The deployment of cheese block artificial reefs in the waters off Pulau Tinggi is part of the department's strategy to enhance coral restoration and support the marine ecosystem. Rosmawati stressed the delicate nature of turtle hatchlings, emphasizing that they face threats not only on land but also in the sea and from aerial predators.

Additionally, temperature plays a significant role in determining the sex of hatchlings, with warmer conditions leading to more females and cooler conditions producing more males. To ensure a balanced sex ratio, the department maintains a ratio of five male hatchlings for every ten females, as a female turtle requires four males for successful fertilization.

Pulau Besar also has a hatchery; however, it faces challenges with electricity and water supply, leading the department to transfer turtle eggs from Pulau Besar to the more suitable Pulau Tinggi hatchery. Rosmawati stressed the importance of controlling human activity around these sensitive hatchery areas, as they require minimal public access to maintain their effectiveness.