Semporna celebrates Sea Turtle Week

Semporna: Five secondary schools took part in a competition to create turtle replicas from recycled materials during the Sea Turtle Week held in conjunction with the World Sea Turtle Day on June 16.

The colourful creative exhibits, equipped with key messages on turtles, were displayed and judged at the opening of the Turtle Exhibition, jointly organised by WWF-Malaysia, Sabah State Library and Semporna District Education Office, at the Semporna Library on June 19.

SMK Datuk Panglima Abdullah emerged champion followed by SMK Tagasan and SMK Agama Tun Sakaran.

Wanita Pulau Omadal, a local community group from Omadal Island, set up a booth to sell their handicrafts made from pandanus leaves with the proceeds to be used to support conservation efforts in the Semporna Priority Conservation Area.

Volunteer group, Green Semporna, was also present to recruit new members especially among students.

Posters of turtles were displayed in the hall to educate visitors on the importance of these endangered marine creatures to Semporna’s ecosystem.

Star attraction of the exhibition was the life-size Green turtle statue, fondly named ‘Si Bokko Kalasahan Ku’, which in Bajau means “My Lovely Turtle”.

More than 100 pledges were written on it as visitors to the exhibition penned down their heart’s call to save these endangered marine treasures.

The statue will remain a fixture at the Semporna Library.

“It is important to run the sea turtle protection programme in Semporna, not only because the nesting and foraging turtle population is significant, but also sea turtles are key attractions in this area for tourist from all over the world.

“The income from tourism is estimated to be RM37.8 million annually, thus presenting a great opportunity for Semporna, and also Sabah,” said WWF-Malaysia’s Sulu-Sulawesi Ecoregion Programme Manager Robecca Jumin.

Source: Daily Express