The endangered leatherback turtle’s last recorded landing at the shores of Terengganu was in 2010.

Fisheries deputy director-general (development) Zulkafli Abd Rashida said only eight nests were recorded during that landing and worse, the eggs did not hatch at all.

“Leatherback turtles will only land and lay eggs at Terengganu’s shores but they will keep away because of the human activities and too many lights at the beach.

“If the situation continues, the species will become extinct,” he told reporters after the launch of the Endangered Species Awareness and Conservation Programme in Malacca today.

The programme was launched by Malacca Tourism, Beach, River and Island Development deputy exco member Ghazale Muhamad.

Meanwhile, Zulkafli said the population of green turtles had increased nationwide, with about 2,000 landings in 1996 to 4,000 this year.

- Bernama