Assessing hatchery management as a conservation tool for sea turtles: A case study in Setiu, Terengganu

• Turtle hatching rate were compared by location, year, type of shading and egg condition.
• Location and year showed the least effect.
• Shading promotes hatching success, open areas promotes faster hatching time.
• Majority of relocated eggs were successfully hatched.
• Strict laws and more workforces is needed to curb egg poaching.

In this study, we have investigated contemporary sea turtle hatchery management practices based on successive yearly hatching rates from 2009 until 2012. Compiled data were taken from a hatchery at Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia, and the turtle eggs originated from five beaches nearby. We assessed hatchery management by comparing the successive hatching rates in terms of i) location; ii) year; iii) type of shading; and iv) egg condition. There was no significant difference between the beaches, but 2011 showed a significantly higher rate of successful hatching. The shaded hatchery had a significantly higher rate of successful hatching, while the open hatchery had a significantly shorter time of hatching. The majority of the eggs relocated in the hatchery were successfully hatched (73.9%), while only 0.5% was naturally predated. The low rate of egg predation indicates that natural predators at the hatchery were under control. We suggest that while beach protection efforts are rigorously conducted, stricter legislation should be considered, especially to curb the threat of illegal poaching. Increased monitoring duration is suggested to intensify beach protection, while increasing the workforce may improve the efficiency of the process of egg relocation to hatcheries.