20-11-2023 (SINGAPORE) A routine yacht trip off Lazarus Island turned into a distressing incident when boat captain Muhammad Nazri Idris discovered a 100m-long fishing net, leading to the tragic entanglement of two green turtles. The incident unfolded on November 18, prompting Nazri to take immediate action to free the distressed turtles. Despite efforts to rescue them, one turtle died at the scene, and the other succumbed while awaiting assistance from the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres).
Nazri, a seasoned yacht captain, expressed shock at the cruel fate the marine animals faced, emphasizing the ecological importance of Lazarus Island for sea turtles. The incident occurred just hours after another net entanglement was reported, involving a turtle and a stingray, both successfully freed by vigilant passersby.
Conservation groups, including Marine Stewards, highlighted the ecological and safety hazards posed by such fishing nets, advocating for restrictions in ecologically sensitive areas. The tragic event spurred calls for stronger measures against gill nets, emphasizing their destructive impact on marine life.
Hawksbill and green turtles, both critically endangered locally, face significant threats from these nets. Gill nets, with floats and weights, trap everything in their path, causing rapid drowning for turtles below the surface. The incident has reignited the debate on the legality of gill nets, as they remain legal in some areas but are banned in others.
While gill net fishing is forbidden in the 12 coastal parks managed by the National Parks Board (NParks) in Singapore, the Fisheries Act does not prohibit their use outside these areas. Acres, along with other conservationists, is urging for stricter regulations, emphasizing the destructive nature of gill nets and the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems.
The waters off Lazarus Island fall under the jurisdiction of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), prompting calls for increased measures to curb the use of gill nets in Singaporean waters. The tragic entanglement serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by marine life and the imperative for conservation efforts to safeguard these vulnerable species.
