Shrimp trawl fisheries were identified as one of the leading causes of sea turtle declines in Malaysia with an estimated 2-3000 turtles killed in shrimp trawl fishing every year in Sabah alone. Despite protection on nesting beaches, egg hatcheies and awareness campaigns, in Malaysia sea turtles continued to face worrying declines.

MRF and the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOFM) decided reducing the by-catch of sea turtles was critical in ensuring the survival of sea turtles in the country.