Illegal tortoiseshell harvest of hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Southeast Asia: evidence from Baturua Reef, Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia

Kirishnamoorthie Jeethvendra, . and Nishizawa, Hideaki and James, Alin and Hussien Muin, . and Joseph, Juanita (2023) Illegal tortoiseshell harvest of hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Southeast Asia: evidence from Baturua Reef, Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management (Malaysia), 18 (7). pp. 53-66. ISSN 2672-7226

The illegal harvesting of hawksbill turtles for their shell has led to a drastic decline in the population of this critically endangered species over the past century. Despite efforts to protect them through legal frameworks and policies, the illegal trade of their shells continues to pose a significant threat to the species. While there is existing knowledge on tortoiseshell harvesting, there is limited evidence on how tortoiseshell harvesting is carried out. This study seeks to provide evidence of the ongoing illegal harvesting of hawksbill turtles for the wildlife trade in Southeast Asia. Additionally, we report the first-ever observations of carved-out carapaces from hawksbill turtles in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia. Although we have only encountered two harvested adult female hawksbill turtles in 2018 and 2019, and conducted interviews with coastal communities between 2014 and 2019, our report provides crucial evidence that the illegal exploitation of hawksbill turtles in Southeast Asia is ongoing. The recent discovery of complete tortoiseshell scutes washed ashore on Pom Pom Island in 2021, further confirms this alarming trend. Given the critical status of hawksbill turtles, urgent measures such as strict surveillance and enforcement are needed to prevent their further decline.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://jssm.umt.edu.my/wp-content/uploads/2024/01...

Abstract

The illegal harvesting of hawksbill turtles for their shell has led to a drastic decline in the population of this critically endangered species over the past century. Despite efforts to protect them through legal frameworks and policies, the illegal trade of their shells continues to pose a significant threat to the species. While there is existing knowledge on tortoiseshell harvesting, there is limited evidence on how tortoiseshell harvesting is carried out. This study seeks to provide evidence of the ongoing illegal harvesting of hawksbill turtles for the wildlife trade in Southeast Asia. Additionally, we report the first-ever observations of carved-out carapaces from hawksbill turtles in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia. Although we have only encountered two harvested adult female hawksbill turtles in 2018 and 2019, and conducted interviews with coastal communities between 2014 and 2019, our report provides crucial evidence that the illegal exploitation of hawksbill turtles in Southeast Asia is ongoing. The recent discovery of complete tortoiseshell scutes washed ashore on Pom Pom Island in 2021, further confirms this alarming trend. Given the critical status of hawksbill turtles, urgent measures such as strict surveillance and enforcement are needed to prevent their further decline.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Eretmochelys imbricata
AGROVOC Term:	turtles
AGROVOC Term:	illegal practices
AGROVOC Term:	marine ecosystems
AGROVOC Term:	observation
AGROVOC Term:	analysis
AGROVOC Term:	surveys
AGROVOC Term:	fishers
AGROVOC Term:	population decrease
AGROVOC Term:	ecosystem disturbance
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Nor Hasnita Abdul Samat
Date Deposited:	23 Nov 2025 04:48
Last Modified:	23 Nov 2025 04:48
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1573

Actions (login required)

View Item