Rantau Abang:Pantai Rantau Abang has once again become a focal point as a leatherback turtle, the world's largest turtle species, came ashore early this morning to lay eggs.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain stated that this latest event marks the fifth recorded landing along the Terengganu coast since September. The turtle came ashore at about 3 am, laid its eggs at 4.30 am, and returned to the sea around 5.45 am as the tide rose.

A total of 48 eggs were collected from this landing and were transferred to a controlled hatchery at the Rantau Abang Turtle Conservation and Information Centre (TCIC) by 7 am for protection and monitoring. This brings the total number of leatherback turtle eggs recorded from the five landings to 313.

The first landing took place at Pantai Pasir Putih, Marang, on September 1, yielding 44 eggs, followed by the second at Pantai Rantau Abang on September 13, with 81 eggs. The third landing was at Pantai Kuala Abang on September 22, producing 70 eggs, while the fourth was recorded at Pantai Jambu Bongkok on October 1, also with 70 eggs.

Adnan noted that an examination of the latest landing site revealed a turtle track measuring about 2.1 meters wide and 15 meters long, with the original nest approximately 110 centimeters deep. Monitoring and patrols are being conducted in collaboration with the Rantau Abang Fisheries Research Institute (IPP) to oversee landing sites and safeguard turtle nests and eggs.

This collaboration supports the Fisheries Department's efforts to enhance field monitoring and ensure the continued implementation of conservation measures. Controlled egg management, nest monitoring, and the protection of landing sites are crucial for turtle conservation, especially for species facing threats to their survival.

The public's cooperation is also essential. The department urges people not to disturb turtles coming ashore, take their eggs, or damage their nests. Any turtle sightings or nest discoveries should be reported immediately to the Fisheries Department for further action. The protection of turtles and their eggs is governed by relevant laws, including the Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317) and the Terengganu Turtle Enactment.