The Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone (M-WEZ) mega reclamation project is expected to draw billions of ringgit in investments but it could spell peril for the hawksbill turtle, which is classified as a critically endangered species.
Various coastal locations in Malaysia, including Malacca, are major nesting areas for the hawksbill turtles. According to the Department of Fisheries (DOF), at least 442 turtles landed and nested along Malacca's coastline in 2019.
The M-WEZ project is linked to two Malacca Umno leaders.
Recently, the AJA reclamation project, which is a sub-project of M-WEZ, submitted its environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.
The report warned that the project would lead to a sharp decline in turtle landings, reducing this to half.
According to the report, Konsortium Pembangunan Tanah Laut (Melaka) Sdn Bhd planned to reclaim 300 acres of land in the water area around Pekan Klebang. Construction will take five years.
Turtles' habitat in Pulau Upeh impacted
Located some 500 metres from the proposed project is Pulau Upeh, which is a major nesting area for hawksbill turtles.
The EIA report stated that about 20 turtles land on the small island each year, to lay eggs.
However, the report cautioned that the number would drop by half when the reclamation project commences.
“On the basis of earlier reports/records, it can be safely concluded that the proposed reclamation project may have negative impacts on the turtle populations in Malacca, particularly those on Pulau Upeh.
“To ensure the environmental cost is not underestimated, implementation of the project will reduce the average number of landings by 50 percent, from 20 to 10 per year,” it added.
The report noted that the main issues of concern are exposure to light and an increase in noise levels.
It explained that turtles use sound for navigation, to locate prey and avoid predators whereas artificial lighting from the construction site will stop turtles from landing while making it harder for the hatchlings to find their way to the sea, resulting in dehydration and death.
The EIA report also recommended that developers reduce the amount of artificial lighting and noise, as well as halt reclamation activities at night during the nesting season.
Besides turtles, the report highlighted that the project would also have a negative impact on coral areas, plankton, macrobenthos and fish.
For the purpose of reclamation, the developer will mine and move 20 million cubic metres of sea sand from a source located 9km from the proposed location.
Warning of possible seawater pollution and oil spills, the report proposed two measures – to carry out the reclamation work in stages in order to allow marine life to shift and to establish artificial reefs in the post-reclamation phase to enable marine life to recover.
Livelihood of fisherfolk will be affected
The report also predicted that the AJA reclamation project will affect the livelihood of about 200 fisherfolk.
It stated that the local government, DOF and the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) have raised several concerns, including the fisherfolks' access to the sea being obstructed during the construction phase, possible collisions between fishing boats and vessels ferrying sand as well as a reduction in catches.
These government agencies have demanded compensation on behalf of the fisherfolk.
According to an appendix document of the EIA report, the developer has “contributed” RM1.5 million to the Fisherman's Economic Fund and RM6.534 million as “ex-gratia payment” to the affected fisherfolk.
The EIA report said the developer has entrusted the state government to disburse the above-mentioned compensation.
In the run-up to the recent Malacca election, former chief minister Adly Zahari accused the BN state government of earmarking a similar compensation for the fisherfolk prior to the 2018 general election but the money did not trickle down to the intended recipients.
He claimed that the money was used to pay the salaries of civil servants and for running government events due to a budget shortfall.
To ensure that the livelihood of the fisherfolk is maintained, the EIA report suggested that the developer carefully plans the reclamation works to ensure that access from the jetty to fishing grounds is not blocked and to work closely with the fisherfolk.
The report said the developer suggested that the fisherfolk take up other “employment opportunities” such as cage culture farming, boat repair services, development of mussel racks and others.
Malaysiakini has contacted Gene & Quin Holdings (the parent company of Konsortium Pembangunan Tanah Laut (Melaka)) for comment.
The EIA report is prepared by Ardhmillenia Sdn Bhd. Members of the public can submit their feedback on the proposed project on the Department of Environment’s website before Saturday (Dec 25). - Mkini
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