Turtle death rate on the rise between January and April

KUALA TERENGGANU: The death toll of turtles rises every year between January and April when they get entangled in fishing nets or are hit by propellers of boats carrying tourists.
Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Turtle Research Unit (SEATRU) project head Dr Juanita Joseph said this has been proven through a study conducted by the unit.
She said although it is the monsoon season now, the number of fishermen going to sea was high because there'll be an increased amount of fish.
"The use of trawl nets will harm turtles and this should be monitored to prevent their deaths in the future," Juanita said when contacted by Bernama here today.
Juanita said this when asked to comment on the death of two turtles within two days in a row on Batu Buruk beach, Kuala Terengganu and in Dungun today believed to have been caused when the turtles got entangled in fishermen's nets.
Usually after April, there will be a drop in turtle deaths. If any death does occur it will be due to being hit by tourist boat propellers. This is because after April, the resort islands in the Terengganu will open to tourists and the risk of being hit by tourist boats are high. — Bernama