Perak Is First State To Introduce 'Turtle-Friendly' Hook

LUMUT (Malaysia), Nov 12 (Bernama) -- Perak, a northern state in Peninsular Malaysia, will be the first state to introduce C-shaped hook (C-hook) which would inflict minimum injury to turtles, in the event they bit the hook meant for fish. State fisheries department director Sani Mohd Isa said the C-hook would replace the J-shaped hook which was widely used by fishermen who use rod and long line for fishing. "The use of J-hook was the main cause of the death of turtles and other endangered marine species when they swallowed the hook which injured their internal organs," he said. Sani was speaking to reporters after handing over C-hooks and long line accessories at the Kampung Acheh fisheries development centre in Sitiawan near here Friday. A total of 400 C-hooks and long line accessories were given to five fishermen from Teluk Muroh here as a pilot project for the use of such equipment. Sani said the introduction of the new hook was in accordance with a condition imposed by the European Union which barred the entry of marine products caught by using equipment which could affect turtles and other endangered species. -- BERNAMA