Date: 29 July 2008
By: Sean Augustin
Source: The New Straits Times
KUALA TERENGGANU: Nine resorts have joined the campaign against the consumption of turtle and terrapin eggs, bringing the total number of participants to 11.
The Redang Holiday Beach Villa, Coral Redang Island Resort, Redang Pelangi Resort, Ayumayang Redang Island Resort, Redang Bay Resort, Redang Beach Resort, Redang Reef Resort, Redangkalong Resort and Berjaya Redang Beach Resort are the nine taking part in the “Say No to Turtle and Terrapin Eggs” campaign.
The first two resorts to participate in the campaign, launched by the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) Turtle Research and Rehabilitation Group in February, were Laguna Redang Island Resort and the Bubbles Dive Resort on Pulau Perhentian.
The objective of the year-long campaign is to stop people from eating turtle and terrapin eggs, with the group hoping to record a million lifetime pledges online.
Redang Resort Operators Association secretary Yap Chuan Bin said the operators decided to embark on the campaign as part of a programme called “Integrated Marine Biodiversity Conservation Programme 2007/2008″.
He said the campaign was vital to highlight the plight of turtles.
“We have many visitors at the resorts during the peak season and this presents us with a good opportunity to get the message across as most of the guests are environment-conscious.
“It’s also a good way to remind visitors that Terengganu was once referred to as the ‘turtle state’,” Yap told the New Straits Times, adding that the association came up with banners for the campaign.
He said since embarking on the campaign, resort operators have received positive response from foreign and local guests.
UMT Turtle Research and Rehabilitation Group leader Prof Chan Eng Heng said the participation of the nine resorts was good for the campaign.
“They have always wanted to be a part of turtle conservation but did not know how to approach it. That’s why they were enthusiastic about taking part in the campaign. If possible, I want to extend this campaign to resorts outside Terengganu,” she said.
State Industrial, Trade and Environment Committee chairman Toh Chin Yaw shared Chan’s sentiments on the enthusiasm of operators for conservation projects run by state and non-governmental organisations.
He said he would be holding discussions with the state Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee on ways to promote resort operators participating in conservation programmes.
“Hopefully, our efforts will bring about more awareness of conservation campaigns.”
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