Marine turtle management, conservation and protection programme in Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia has since long been involved in turtle management, conservation and protection. Turtle survival in Malaysia is being threatened by among others, commercial exploitation, habitat destruction, fisheries interaction and marine pollution. At the federal level, the Fisheries Act 1985 serves as the primary legislation for the protection of fisheries and also provides for the inclusion of turtle conservation and management. Four species of marine turtles found in Peninsular Malaysia are confirmed to nest: Dermochelys coreacea, Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata and Lepidochelys olivacea.