Scuba Junkie, a 100% AWARE partner based in Sabah, Malaysia, hosted its third annual Turtle Week from 22nd to 28th May, a week of presentations, talks and environmental activities aimed at promoting turtle conservation in Sabah and worldwide.

Top of the list for the week’s activities was the 5-hr continuous reef clean carried out on Pulau Mabul in support of Dive Against Debris. Six staff from Scuba Junkie carried out tag-team cleaning of one divesite, which is  sadly known for debris accumulation because of current convergence on that site. They brought up an astounding 15 bags full of rubbish, including plastic bottles, plastic bags, nappies and, er, a suitcase with a garter belt inside (we find the weirdest things!)...as well as several driftnets sitting on the reef.

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. Plastics and pollution on reef is one of the most obvious threats to turtles and their health. Our reef clean – 5 hours long to symbolise how long a resting green turtle can hold its breath for – was a great practical way for us to aid turtle conservation. We have also been carrying out beach cleans all week to stop the plastic from getting into the sea in the first place.”

Rather appropriately, David had just given a presentation on Tackling Marine Debris the night before at Scuba Junkie’s Mabul Beach Resort - and rather fittingly, a nest of 89 green turtle hatchlings chose to pop up after the presentation had finished! “It was an amazing guest appearance for Turtle Week, everyone was thrilled” said David “it was also like the hatchlings were showing their support for our conservation message...they very kindly waited until the presentation was over” he joked.

Other activities for the week included  turtle conservation workshops for local communities, schools, colleges and for the University of Malaysia, Sabah students – as well as nightly presentations for Scuba Junkie guests, and a closing night party.

Scuba Junkie is a PADI 5* IDC centre, and Turtle Week was organised through its S.E.A.S. conservation arm. If you’d like any more information about Scuba Junkie’s conservation work, please email [email protected].