ID :
344368
Tue, 10/14/2014 - 12:08
Auther :

Malaysia To Enforce TED In 2017

KUANTAN (Pahang, Malaysia), Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is poised to follow 27 other nations in enforcing the installation of the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) on trawl nets to protect turtles. Fisheries director-general Johari Ramli said the department was conducting awareness workshops and demonstrations for fishermen on the advantages of TED before the enforcement of the Regulations in 2017. "Studies and promotions on the use of TED started in 1984 at the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) in Batu Maung, Penang with the cooperation of the Food and Agriculture Organisation. "From 2011 to date, researchers at the FRI in Rantau Abang, Terengganu, with the cooperation of Huntsman Tioxide Sdn Bhd, tested TED on monsoon season trawlers in Kemaman, Terengganu, and obtained positive feedback. "A TED to suit local use was then created. Tests on TED by a laboratory in the United States last year yielded very encouraging results," he told reporters at a progamme on TED here, Tuesday. Also present were Rantau Abang FRI chief, Syed Abdullah Syed Abdul Kadir and Marine Turtle Specialist Group joint chairman, Dr Nicolas J Pilcher. Among the 27 nations which had already started using TED are United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Mexico and India. Johari said TED would boost the quality of the fishermen's catch, save them on fuel and minimise damage to their nets. "Diesel consumption is reduced by three per cent because TED can reduce entry of rubbish or large objects into the net. "But what is more far-reaching is that turtles will be able to escape from the net in three minutes. This will reduce turtle fatalities. As many as 30 to 40 turtle carcases are found on beaches every year," he said. He said, TED, made from aluminium or galvanised iron was expected to be readily accepted by fishermen as it is affordably priced at RM400 to RM450 (US$122 to US$137). -- BERNAMA

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