KOTA KINABALU: Changing weather patterns and wave activity could affect turtle populations, Sabah Parks director Datuk Dr Maklarin Lakim said.
"Climate change can trigger storms and changes in wind patterns, resulting in waves occurring more frequently than before.
"In the past, there might have been only about six such occurrences a year. Now, there could be as many as 24.
"Based on our experience in Sabah, take Pulau Selingan, one of the islands in the Sandakan Turtle Islands Park, as an example.
"Thirty years ago, the beach was twice the size it is today. Now, only about 50 per cent remains," he said, adding that the loss of beach area could affect turtle nesting.
Maklarin was speaking to reporters after launching the three-day 2026 National Marine Protected Area (MPA) Managers Network Establishment and Coordination Workshop.
He said that rising sea temperatures were also among the climate change threats to the management of marine protected areas.
Warmer seawater, he said, could cause coral bleaching, in which corals lose the symbiotic algae that provide them with much of their colour and energy.
"Climate change triggers changes in weather patterns. Although its effects may not be as visible in the ocean as, for example, forest fires on land, global warming is being felt in the sea.
"When the sea becomes hot, the coral polyps leave their limestone skeletons, leaving the reefs white," he said, adding that the white appearance of bleached coral should not be mistaken for a sign of healthy reefs, as it indicated that the corals were under stress.
Ocean acidification was another concern, he said, as changing seawater chemistry could affect corals' ability to build and maintain their calcium carbonate skeletons.
"Acid rain, which contributes to ocean acidification, happens because of air pollution resulting from fires, volcanic eruptions and particles and emissions from vehicles and boats.
"Carbon emissions and other pollutants accumulate in the atmosphere. When they interact with clouds and fall as rain, they can contribute to acid rain."
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