PORT DICKSON: As visitors are expected to throng Port Dickson this weekend following the government’s decision to lift the interstate travel ban, it is important for the public to always keep the beach clean and not litter because plastic waste can pose a threat to hawksbill and green turtles.

       Raising public awareness on the importance of conserving and protecting these endangered species is crucial to ensure the two do not go extinct.

       Hishamudin Abdul Manap, part-time supervisor at a turtle conservation and hatchery centre here, said prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, they were able to save about 800 turtle eggs a year.

       “This year, I managed to find 48 eggs after 46 baby hawksbill turtles were rescued by members of the public recently,” he said after a session burying hawksbill turtle eggs in the sand to incubate them, at Glory Beach Resort.

       Hishamudin reminded the public to immediately report any turtle findings to the Negri Sembilan Fisheries Department for further action.

       He said this was because it would be best if baby turtles were released into the sea at night between 8pm and midnight to prevent them from being eaten by predators such as crows, eagles and monitor lizards.

       During the session, visitors were given an explanation on the right technique to bury turtle eggs in the sand, how to identify the type of turtle eggs, and the hatching period.

       Hishamudin said a 25-year-old turtle would lay about 100 eggs four times a year (per season) and the eggs would incubate for 55 to 60 days before hatching.

       Visitors at Glory Beach Resort will also have a chance to meet ‘Remy Ishak’, ‘Aaron Aziz’ and ‘Maya Karin’ – aged five, four and three, respectively – the three green turtles at the hatchery centre.

       Meanwhile, the Negri Sembilan Fisheries Department in a post on its official Facebook page said the turtle management and conservation cooperation with Glory Beach Resort was established in 2013.

       It has given its conditional permission to the resort management to carry out turtle conservation including exhibitions, ownership of live turtles and turtle egg hatcheries.

       The setting up of the hatchery centre can also help create public awareness on the importance of conserving these endangered reptiles. — Bernama