Interaction Between Sea Turtle and Human Activities: A Survey on Local Communities at Kuala Lawas off Brunei Bay. 2.0 OBJECTIVES 1.

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1 Regional Meeting on Conservation and Management of Sea Turtle Foraging Habitats in Southeast Asian Water. (Japanese Trust Fund V Program) October 13 AnCasa Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Interaction Between Sea Turtle and Human Activities: A Survey on Local Communities at Kuala Lawas off Brunei Bay. By Taha Wahab¹, Shirley Nathanael Naning¹, Mohd. Ali Husin¹, and Wahidah Mohd Arshaad² ¹Sarawak Forestry Corporation, ²Pusat Penyu dan Ekosistem Marin (TUMEC) Terengganu Presentation outline 1.Introduction 2.Objectives 3.Study sites 4.Study Method 5.Finding 6.Recommendations 7.Conclusions INTRODUCTION 2.0 OBJECTIVES Four species of marine turtles found along the sandy beaches of Sarawak ;leatherback (Demochelys coriacea), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). The important turtle nesting sites were Sarawak Turtle Islands (Talang-Satang National Park) Tanjung Datu National Park, Similajau National Park, Sematan and Miri. In 02, ground checks based on the location provided by satellite telemetry study results has led to the discovery of coral reefs and the biggest sea grass beds in Malaysia of Kuala Lawas within Brunei Bay (Bali, 05). A total of to 30 individuals of adult green turtles were seen in an hour observation at the sea grass bed of Kuala Lawas. These areas were believed to be feeding ground since there was no nest has been recorded from that area since years ago (Bali, 05). 1. to collect basic socioeconomic profiles on communities along Kuala Lawas off Brunei Bay and identify their interests in protecting and conservation of marine turtle. 2. to identify number and species of turtle that are frequently caught by fishing activities at Kuala Lawas off Brunei Bay STUDY SITES Study sites location. Located in the Lawas District of Limbang Division which borders with Brunei Darussalam and Sabah. Claimed to be rich in its biodiversity, especially marine life and identified as a natural habitat for dugong in Sarawak. The community are mainly Malay-Bruneian and Kedayan. The Malay-Bruneian are involved in large scale fishing. The Kedayan mainly do farming and small-scale fishing activities. Seven fishermen villages along Kuala Lawas were selected. Kampung Dato Kampung Nur Islam Hulu Kampung Nur Islam Laut Kampung Pemukat Kampung Punang Kampung Sg. Bangat Kampung Sualai 5 6 1

2 4.0 STUDY METHOD 5.0 Findings Interviews focused on gathering the socioeconomic profile and perception level on turtle population and awareness among fishermen. Questionnaire Semi-Structure Questionnaire to identified turtle species occurring at Brunei Bay. to record the status and distribution of turtles, communication avenues and interest in learning and protecting the marine turtles, socioeconomic characteristics, laws and conservation programs and attitudes toward them and incidental catch by local fishermen. Structure Questionnaire Socioeconomic profile Perceptions on Turtle Populations Communication avenues and interests in protecting marine turtle Incidental catch Socioeconomic Profile Kampung. of Households. of Sample Kampung Punang Kampung Pemukat Kampung Dato 23 Kampung Nur Islam laut 14 Kampung Nur Islam Hulu 17 7 Kampung Sualai 7 Kampung Sungai Bangat 12 3 Total Number of households and percentage of sample interview per villages Kampung Sungai Bangat Kampung Sualai Kampung Nur Islam Hulu. of Households Kampung Nur Islam Laut Kampung Dato Kampung Pemukat Kampung Punang Socioeconomic profile of fishermen sampled-ages under 1 Above Socioeconomic profiles of fishermen sampled- Education SPM 25 ne SRP/PMR 16 Primary School per cent of the respondents were within the age group of to 49, generally regarded as the more economically active age group. About 25 per cent of the respondents had completed secondary education (SPM), 16 per cent with lower secondary education qualification (SRP/PMR), and 54 per cent had primary education

3 5.2 Communication avenues and interests in protecting marine turtle. Communication avenues Exposed to any turtle conservation awareness activities/material/program Gov. Officer 16 News paper/poster/banner Village talk 33 Internet 1 TV/Radio 25 Village talks are the most common communication avenues that they depended on for news and updates, followed by newspapers and television/radio. 12 Only 12 per cent of the respondents had such an exposure to turtle conservation before. All respondents responded positively in participating in program and research initiate by government and non government agencies Knowledge on agecies involve in turtle protection and conservation Knowledge on turtle protection law A small proportion (16 per cent) know about agencies involved in the protection of marine turtles in Sarawak. About 27 per cent of the respondents cited that they know that turtle are protect by law in Sarawak Perceptions on turtle populations Species diversity 70 Species abundance Olive Ridley Turtle/lipas 16 Hawksbill turtle/karah 17 Green Turtle/Agar Below to 21 to to to 50 more than 50 The most frequent number of individuals seen was below 10 individuals (70 per cent). The highest number of turtle species described was Green turtle (67 per cent) followed by Hawksbill turtle (17 per cent) and Olive Ridley turtle (16 per cent)

4 Turtle habitat at Lawas Sungai Bangkulit 15 Kuala Lawas 29 Bukit Sari 33 Punang Green Turtle has recorded the highest number of species encountered during fishing activities with 87 per cent. Awat-Awat 2 33 of respondent informed that Bukit Sari is the major habitat for marine turtle, follow by Kuala Lawas and Punang area. 19 Sungai Bangkulit Daily activities of turtle seen at fishing area Foraging Mating Swimming Kuala Lawas Awat-Awat Punang Bukit Sari The most frequent activities seen by turtle at fishing areas were foraging (74), follow by swimming (23) and mating (3) Over 60 per cent respondents informed that turtle in Kuala Lawas do not have any seasonal peak period while only 14 per cent claimed that turtles can be seen abundant from May to August every year. The number of current turtle population seen is still the same compared to 5 to 10 years ago. The reasons for the population decline, most of the respondents replied that it was a result of turtle being caught by fishing nets/fishing activities

5 5.4 Incidental catch Incidental Catch Patterns Incidental catch vs species and size per cent of respondents have experienced incidental catch of turtles. t regular incidents for most of the respondent as 78 per cent of them never caught turtles during fishing activities. 67 per cent incidentally catches usually happen to green turtle species especially sizes ranging from 3 to 4 feet. Less than 2 per cent of turtles caught in the fishing net were dead and 98 per cent turtles caught were alive and released into their natural habitats. Less than 15 per cent of turtles caught had flipper tags. Respondents informed that they did not collect the flipper tags and only 2 per cent of the respondents understood the purpose of the tags RECOMMENDATIONS 1.0 Working close with local community 1. Need to motivate people on all aspects of management of natural resources. 2. Continue to encourage and guide the local communities to enhance their knowledge in co-management where possible. Better management results will come about with effective community leadership, interest and co-operation among stakeholders. 3. Develop a platform for meaningful interaction between the authority in managing the resource and the local communities. Common fishing net used was Pukat Tiga Lapis (27 per cent), Pukat Hanyut/Magik ( per cent), Pukat Kikis and Pukat Lingkung with 17 and 16 percent respectively. 4. Make full use of the Special Wild Life Committee to improve management presence on the ground to facilitate enforcement, planning, implementation and monitoring Conclusions 2.0 Promote Education Awareness Program 1. Education can be a tool through awareness programme by keeping them informed on the importance to protect biodiversity for future generation. 2. Make the local communities feel responsible for local-level protection and conservation activities. 3. Need for Sarawak Forestry Corporation to setting up collaboration with Department of Fishery Malaysia through SEAFDEC project in promotes conservation of marine turtles and their habitats to local communities. Leads in a better understanding on perceptions of local communities in the knowledge and attitude toward conservation and protection of marine turtles. Leads to the better management of marine resources by gather information on incidental catch patterns of turtles by local fishing activities. Local communities in Kuala Lawas willing to help government in the protection of Kuala Lawas marine turtles and to participate in any conservation programs initiated by the government

6 Thank You 6