Over the past few weeks many of our staff and guests have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch and sometimes assist in the release of baby green turtles from our Mabul Turtle Hatchery. Some of our staff have even been lucky enough to be around long enough to not only witness the initial laying of the nest, but to then watch the hatchlings reach the surface and finally participate in the release of the baby turtles.

In the Semporna region we are lucky enough to have large numbers of green turtles (Chelonia mydas), even though they are listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List, and to regularly see hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) which are listed as ‘Critically Endangered’. This is not something that should be taken for granted and Scuba Junkie support all efforts, both within Malaysia and globally, aimed at conserving sea turtle populations.

In addition to our current work through the Mabul Turtle Hatchery and presentations given by our Environmental Officer, Rohan Perkins, to local communities, businesses, government officials and guests we are also in the process of initiating an ‘Adopt a Sea Turtle’ scheme whereby guests can sponsor and name a baby turtle! They will receive a free supporters’ t-shirt and a certificate of thanks, as well as further information from the hatchery when their turtle hatches and is released. Further information about this will be available on the Scuba Junkie Facebook page soon.