The seizure of about 9,000kg of sea turtle meat from a fishing trawler in waters off Sabah’s Pulau Banggi has led to the discovery of an estimated 12,000 slaughtered sea turtles, making it the largest marine police seizure this year, said Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun. The value of the dried turtle meat and other endangered marine species is estimated to be worth RM4.5mil.
Four men onboard the trawler were able to escape as a Marine Police patrol boat approached them between Pulau Banggi and Bangsi at 11:15am on Nov 29. They are believed to be foreigners, and fled towards shallow waters before being picked up by a speed boat, which is said to be heading towards a neighboring country.
Additionally, the owner of the trawler registered in Semporna district has been detained for questioning, as it is being investigated whether the owner’s vessel was directly involved or rented by a third party, according to Comm Jauteh.
The marine patrol under Operation Taring Gelora spotted the trawler while conducting operations in the Mangsee Reef area in the northern Kudat waters, according to Comm Jauteh. The demand for exotic meat like turtle meat can reach up to RM500 per kilogram, he added.
Preliminary investigations suggest that all the turtles in question were caught in the waters of the Sulu Sea and the South China Sea, and were intended for markets overseas. It is suspected that the men not only caught the turtles themselves, but also bought them from other parties before selling them to buyers from abroad.
According to Comm Jauteh, in the same operation, the police also seized sea shells and snails of various species (2,000kg), milk shells (90kg), sea horses (150kg), seaweed (80 kg), shark fins (5kg), and grouper (200kg), all of which were being dried. The total value of the seized seafood is estimated to be more than RM5mil.
All confiscated goods are being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, added Comm Jauteh.
