Abstract:
This study was conducted to determine the incidental catch of marine endangered
species such as turtles, dolphins, whales, dugongs and whale sharks in Kuala
Terengganu waters. This study has three objectives: 1) identify the species of marine
mammals, turtles and whale sharks that are caught incidentally in fisheries in Kuala
Terengganu waters, 2) investigate the mortality rate of marine mammals, turtles and
whale sharks in fisheries according to season in Kuala Terengganu waters, and 3)
investigate the mortality rate of marine mammals, turtles and whale sharks according
to fishing gear and area in Kuala Terengganu waters. Interviews were conducted from
October 2012 to March 2013, and 106 respondents were taken to represent 10% of the
number boats registered under the Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Kuala Terengganu
(867 boats). The result shows that the species which caught incidentally in Kuala
Terengganu waters are turtles, dolphins, whales and whale sharks. No of incidental
catch of dugong is recorded. The frequency of incidental catches of turtles is higher
than other marine endangered species in Kuala Terengganu. There is no significant
differ-ence in the mortality rate of endangered species during the northeast monsoon
season (df=3, p=O. 05). For area factor, there is no significant difference in mortality
rate of marine endangered species according to area (df=3, p=O. 05). Among the
fishing gears used by fishermen, purse seine recorded the mortality of all marine
endangered species except dugongs. Therefore, the development and implementation
of conservation strategies such as public awareness program and surveillance
authorities plays important roles in reducing the mortality rate of marine endangered
species.
