Rantau Abang:The recent return of leatherback turtles to Rantau Abang has reignited hopes for a revival of tourism along this once-celebrated coastline. The area experienced a decline in visitors as turtle landings decreased over the years.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, three leatherback turtle landings have been recorded this month, prompting optimism among residents and traders for a resurgence of the marine reptile population. This development could potentially restore Rantau Abang as a prime destination for turtle-watching enthusiasts.

Atan Mat Nor, chairman of the Rantau Abang Federal Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKP), expressed that the latest landings bring renewed hope for the community, which once thrived with thousands of visitors during the leatherback nesting season. During its peak in the 1970s, the area witnessed over 50 female leatherbacks coming ashore each night, attracting about 1,000 visitors, including international tourists.

However, the decline in turtle landings over the years diminished one of the area's main tourist attractions. The last leatherback landing at Rantau Abang was recorded in 2010, with another occurring at Jambu Bongkok beach in Marang in 2017. Local businesses, such as those owned by trader Fatimah Awang, 72, have since struggled, relying mainly on local customers due to the drop in tourist numbers.

The recent turtle landings have rekindled hopes of restoring the area's tourism appeal. Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain reported that a leatherback turtle, believed to be the same one, landed three times this month, laying a total of 195 eggs. The landings occurred at Pasir Putih beach in Marang on September 1, Rantau Abang on September 13, and Kuala Abang beach recently.

All eggs are currently being incubated at the Rantau Abang Turtle and Marine Ecosystem Centre's hatchery. The event has sparked interest among visitors, including Singaporean tourist Teh See Lim, who expressed a desire to witness a leatherback turtle and emphasized the importance of conservation efforts to protect the species for future generations.