ILLEGAL SEA TURTLE TRADE IN SABAH, MALAYSIA: NEW MODE OF OPERATION WITH NATIONAL AND REGIONAL LINKAGES

Sabah, a state located at the eastern part of the country Malaysia has important nesting beaches, foraging grounds and migratory corridors for commonly green and hawksbill turtles. Despite the legal protection status of both... [ view full abstract ]

Sabah, a state located at the eastern part of the country Malaysia has important nesting beaches, foraging grounds and migratory corridors for commonly green and hawksbill turtles. Despite the legal protection status of both species, direct take and eggs being traded threaten the populations. Here provide an overview on the current trade status of turtles and eggs in Sabah, Malaysia. Between 2004 and 2016, at least 11 direct take cases amounting more than 784 turtles were recorded. Current investigations revealed that community members were involved with foreign fishermen in catching turtles at foraging grounds. Cases of turtle eggs seized in various amounts for the purpose of trade were also documented. Between 1999 and 2016, at least 111 cases amounting more than 200,000 eggs were recorded. It was found that foreign fishermen involved in trading turtles with community members were from China, to fulfill the demand of turtle meat and shell for consumption and ornamental purposes respectively. Furthermore, eggs were smuggled from neighboring countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia to Malaysia via sea and air for consumption. Nonetheless, efforts will and have been done to reduce this threat such multilevel and joint enforcement programmes between countries, establishment of taskforce, improved prosecution and conviction of cases with high penalty and sentencing, and revised of existing laws on the penalty of possession to be equal to the penalty of hunting or killing of Totally Protected Species under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.