Scuba Junkie, the award-winning dive operator and 100% AWARE partner based in Sabah, Malaysia, is holding its third annual ‘Turtle Week’ from 22-28th May  - a week of  FUN activities aimed at raising awareness of turtle conservation in Sabah, back by popular demand after the huge success of previous years’ events!.

Mabul, an island off the cost of Sabah, Borneo, is known for the sheer abundance of turtles for divers and snorkellers alike, despite the fact that all species of sea turtle are listed as ‘endangered’ on the IUCN red list. NOT TRUE – 2 VULNERABLE, 2 ENDANGERED, 2 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED, 1 DD

The line-up for Turtle Week includes talks and presentations from turtle experts and environmental efforts such as reef and beach cleans and community engagement. More light-hearted activities for the week include sandcastle competitions,  pub quizzes and a closing night party. Everyone will be involved  - Scuba Junkie guests and staff, local schools, colleges and environmental groups, as well as Mabul residents.

David McCann, Environmental Officer for Scuba Junkie, explained “‘Turtles face so many threats around the world, their numbers are in severe decline. Part of the problem is that although people love turtles, they don’t realise  what or how severe these threats are. Turtles are incredible animals – a lot of their biology is fascinating, yet not commonly known.  Turtle Week is about providing people with information about turtles, their lives, their conservation – and more importantly what small changes you can make to your lifestyle or holiday to avoid having an adverse impact on them.”

Scuba Junkie’s Mabul Beach Resort also hosts a Turtle Hatchery programme and turtle rehabilitation centre. The Hatchery, launched in 2011, has released more than 5,000 green turtle and hawksbill turtles into the wild. There is currently one nest incubating in the hatchery...who knows, maybe some hatchlings will make a special guest appearance for Turtle Week!

If you’d like any more information, please contact [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you!