During the sinking of 70 reef balls as artificial reefs near Redang by the Marine Parks Department in mid March, the
harmful effects of tourism were recognised, and in early April the state government of Trengganu initiated a buy-back scheme for Leatherback turtle eggs whereby eggs from Thailand were purchased to be incubated here. In August the Marine Parks
Department’s intention to include restriction of tourists as one measure of the Marine Parks’ policy was made known.
