Satellite Tracking of Hawksbill Turtles in Melaka
Geographical location:
Asia/Pacific > Southeast Asia > Malaysia
Summary
The Hawksbill turtle nesting population of Melaka is the largest in Peninsular Malaysia. The turtles spend 99 per cent of their time foraging in coral reef ecosystems and only come on shore to lay eggs. Their feeding ground may be near the nesting rookeries, but most of them undertake migration journeys of hundreds or thousands of kilometres to distant nesting beaches, transcending national jurisdictions. Hence, identifying critical habitats beyond the nesting beaches is crucial in conserving the species.
This project aims to use satellite telemetry and computer mapping technology to identify important coastal turtle habitat ranges during the nesting period, their migration routes and foraging areas. The mapping result will be utilised to advocate legal protection for offshore waters of important nesting rookeries and develop management guidelines for the protected areas. The information gathered is also crucial in persuading Malaysia to ratify the relevant international treaties that relate to marine turtle conservation.
Background
The Hawksbill turtle which is classified as “critically endangered” by IUCN is threatened with extinction. Widely regarded as the most beautiful of all sea turtles, the Hawksbill turtle population is declining at an alarming rate all over the world.
In attempting to address the decline of these majestic animals, conservationists in Malaysia are hitting a brick wall due to the simple fact that much about these turtles is still unknown. This includes basic information regarding their nesting habits, foraging areas and home ranges.
However, with the use of advanced technology such as satellite and computer mapping, this information gap can be filled. Satellite telemetry technology has been used throughout the world to discover the habitat range of turtles, their migration route and feeding areas.
A recent success story which demonstrates the effectiveness of this technology is the proposed protection of the offshore waters of Ma’ Daerah nesting beach in Terengganu. In this case, the Department of Fisheries Malaysia not only managed to obtain the inter-nesting range of nesting female turtles using advanced technology but is currently using this information as a major tool to convince the State Government to protect the nesting beach as well as the offshore waters.
The main nesting habitat of Hawksbill turtles in Peninsular Malaysia is the coastal areas of Melaka. However, there is currently no protection whatsoever for these turtles. Also, little is known about their feeding areas, how far they roam, or simply which marine areas are important for their survival.
Due to the migratory nature of turtles, protection of species and habitats in Malaysia may be negated by unsustainable activities in neighbouring countries. Thus co-operation amongst these nations is essential. There exists a number of regional and international collaborations and conventions that have yet to be ratified by Malaysia, namely the ‘Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia’ (IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU) and the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS).
As such, this project seeks to do 3 things. One is to fill the information gap that will allow the Department of Fisheries Malaysia with the assistance of WWF-Malaysia to argue for the protection of critical marine habitats in national waters. The second is to advocate for Malaysia to be a signatory state to these regional agreements. Satellite tracking of these turtles can also be a powerful tool to enhance awareness of the local communities towards the plight of these creatures. Hence, an education and awareness programme targeted at local school children in Melaka using satellite tracking of turtles is planned.
This project directly contributes to targets 1 and 4 of WWF-Malaysia Conservation Strategy 2004-2010.
The Hawksbill turtle is recognized by IUCN as the most endangered of all sea turtle species. Marine turtles such as the Hawksbill function as a vital component in a complex ecosystem. They are primary predators in coral reefs, and assist the maintenance of marine biodiversity and ecological processes.
Information regarding the spatial distribution of turtles in relation to their nesting and foraging habits as well as migratory corridors is crucial in identifying areas to protect. It has been proven to be a strong tool in advocating for the gazettement of a turtle sanctuary in Terengganu for the Green turtles and can potentially do the same for the Hawksbills.
In order to obtain this necessary information about the Hawksbill, no other method currently available is as cost-efficient or effective as the use of satellite tracking and mapping technologies. This is especially true because the trans-border foraging habits of these turtles can cover hundreds or thousands of kilometres of the ocean.
The results of such a tracking and mapping exercise will greatly assist in the advocacy of critical habitat protection as well as in developing a management plan for the population.
Objectives
The overall goal is to protect and manage the Hawksbill turtle population of Melaka and their key habitats, through measures that are scientifically-based and socially acceptable, and that can be sustained in the long-term by government, local communities and other stakeholders.
The purpose of the project is to facilitate the establishment of protected areas for the long-term survival of the nesting population of Hawksbill turtles of Melaka.
Solution
The main outputs from this project are:
1) Mapping of critical internesting habitats within coastal waters, migration routes and foraging grounds of the Hawksbill population nesting in Melaka.
2) Proposals for protection and management of marine habitats which are critical internesting and foraging grounds.
3) Communication of migration routes and distant foraging grounds to relevant MoUs/agreements to enhance regional marine turtle conservation strategies (e.g. IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU and MoU on ASEAN Sea Turtle Conservation and Protection).
4) Recommendation towards becoming signatory to IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU and CMS.
5) Education and awareness programme for local coastal school children based on satellite telemetry of turtles.
