Caring and Preserving Marine Life
The Turtle Sanctuary was introduced whereby newly hatched turtles will be released to the sea through an event in-which TSC’s customers, stakeholders and staff are given the privilege to release their very own turtles to create awareness on this endangered species. To supplement this initiative, TSC has invested in the installation of special effect lighting for marine life that is also turtle-friendly.
A “Buy Back Program of Turtle Eggs” is promoted amongst local villagers and subsequently the eggs are preserved through TSC’s in-house sanctuary.
TSC also carried out planting of specific plants for turtles favourite spot such as Pandanus odorifer (Pandan Laut), Terminalia catappa (Ketapang), Blumea balsamifera (Mambong) along Bukit Bari beach as well as within the Port area for greener environment.
Introducing Turtle Hatchery Program by Terengganu Silica Consortium
A Turtle Hatchery Program is a conservation initiative aimed at protecting sea turtles and their eggs from various threats and increasing their chances of survival. Sea turtles face numerous challenges, including habitat destruction, pollution, fishing gear entanglement, and poaching of their eggs for consumption or trade. Hatchery programs are designed to mitigate some of these threats and contribute to the preservation of sea turtle populations.
The typical components of a Turtle Hatchery Program include:
Nest Protection
Nesting beaches where sea turtles lay their eggs are identified and monitored. These nesting sites are often vulnerable to human disturbance or predation by animals. Conservationists or volunteers patrol the beaches to protect the nests from poaching, predators, and other threats.
Egg Collection
In some cases, if the nesting site is at high risk or if it is necessary to relocate the eggs due to human activities, the eggs are carefully collected and transported to a protected hatchery area.
Hatchery Site
A secure area is set up, either on the same beach or nearby, where the collected eggs are buried in sand-filled containers. This hatchery provides a controlled environment for the eggs to incubate safely until they hatch.
Incubation
The eggs are left to incubate naturally in the hatchery, closely monitored by conservationists to ensure proper temperature and humidity levels. The incubation period varies depending on the sea turtle species but usually takes several weeks.
Hatching and Release
Once the baby turtles hatch, they are allowed to emerge from the hatchery naturally. This process is closely supervised to ensure that the hatchlings find their way to the sea safely. The release often happens during the night to increase their chances of survival, as they face fewer predators and potential dangers.
Public Awareness and Education
Hatchery programs often include public awareness and education campaigns to inform local communities and tourists about the importance of sea turtle conservation. These initiatives aim to reduce human impacts on nesting beaches and create support for conservation efforts.
Watch Our Video on Turtle Hatcheries
To gain a more in-depth understanding of how turtle hatcheries operate and their impact on sea turtle conservation, watch our informative video below.
