Does the egg buy-back scheme work as a conservation tool? A case study for green turtle (Chelonia mydas) egg protection in Terengganu, Malaysia

Sea turtle populations face various threats globally. In Malaysia, their numbers have declined since the 1950s. One major threat is overharvesting of turtle eggs. In the state of Terengganu, turtle egg collection is regulated through a trade concession. To protect the turtle populations, the Terengganu State Department of Fisheries (DoF) introduced an egg buy-back scheme in 1961, which involves purchasing eggs from licensed egg collectors and relocating them to protected hatcheries. A complete ban on the sale and consumption of sea turtle eggs was implemented in 2022. This case study evaluates the scheme's effectiveness as a conservation measure and its financial implications. We examined hatching and emergence success of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) eggs purchased by Lang Tengah Turtle Watch, now known as Marine Conservation and Research Organisation Malaysia (PULIHARA), between 2016 and 2021, considering factors such as relocation distance, monsoon season, and handling practices among different egg collectors. A total of 71,315 green turtle eggs from 700 nests were purchased, with overall hatching and emergence success rates of 77.6 % and 74.1 %, respectively. Eggs relocated by PULIHARA showed higher success rates than those handled by licensed egg collectors, underscoring the importance of minimizing relocation distances and improving handling practices to reduce movement-induced mortality. With at least 92.1 % of nests and eggs already protected within sanctuaries and reserves, PULIHARA spent MYR 275,411 to protect an additional 2.1 % of total eggs from 1.7 % of total nests laid in Terengganu. While the egg buy-back scheme effectively safeguarded turtle eggs, financial constraints limit the scheme's full potential. High egg prices strain conservation budgets, whereas low prices deter sales to conservation. To ensure long-term success, continued collaboration among government bodies, NGOs, and local communities, along with strict enforcement, is needed, and potentially revising the licensing system to prioritize conservation-driven participation.