We are about 40 minutes away from our next session! Boleh tune in sambil makan kuih raya :) #TurtleOpenHouse #WorldTurtleDay https://twitter.com/SCBMsia/status/1265217061208219648

Tonight's session will be moderated by Dr Jarina Mohd Jani from UMT Malaysia. The scope of Turtle Economy expands beyond the traditional economic activities related to turtle tourism.

It includes turtle-related services provided such as research and conservation that is gained sometimes through activities similar to those provided in tourism.

Under this broad scope, five panelists will share their current involvement in the Malaysian turtle economy.

Each panelist is expected to
(i) make clear the objectives of their respective activities; (ii) how their goods or services are contributing towards society;
(iii) their efforts to make them sustainable; and finally
(iv) the challenges and opportunities in (iii).

.. we are live! Head over to our Youtube page to stream live!

Dr Jarina is super prepared with ketupat! :))

Viewers can ask (difficult) questions - we have people in the field, friends from Sabah, Lang Tengah to share their experience in sea turtle economy

Get to know our panelists :-

Our guest from Borneo - Ms Sofia Johari, current chairperson of Kudat Turtle Conservation Society. They have been operating for almost 10 years now! They focus on creating awareness and engaging local communities in conservation of sea turtles

Dave from Scuba Junkie - he's currently on the field so internet is pretty choppy (talk about conservation challenge!). They are based in Mabul, Sabah, and they run dive tourism industry, fully funded by the dive resort and generous donations by the guests.

Next we have Abidah and Luca from Lang Tengah Turtle Watch, and Matt and Melisa from Perhentian Turtle Project.

Perhentian Turtle Project is funded by fees by volunteers, under Fuze Ecoteer

University is supposedly supported by the government, so why do you have to charge volunteers?

This is what sea turtle economy is addressing. We need to raise funds to support research and conservation efforts (and the volunteers themselves!)

Social entrepreneurship setup is relatively new in Malaysia - Perhentian Turtle Project is one example of a social enterprise.

Paid volunteerism is new. Instead of just donating your money for conservation efforts, you get to see & experience first hand how your money is spent

Research needs funding - donating to social enterprises helps fund this, on top of conservation work #TurtleOpenDay #WorldTurtleDay

There's a stigma surrounding local community when it comes to turtle conservation. Abang Mat, one of the local snorkel guides shares his experience.

Turtle is important; tourists local and foreign come to the island to see turtles.

The locals realized this, and noticed that these tourists are excited to see these turtles during their snorkeling trips. Turtle Point in Perhentian is one example of a famous turtle site.

Problems emerged when locals promised that tourists will get to see turtles. In Redang it's easier to spot turtles, unlike Perhentian.

Regulation is an issue when it comes to turtle tourism. The best they can do is tell tourists to not touch these turtles, but some tourists (mostly local) don't listen.

Number of people snorkeling and swimming with these turtles need to be regulated too.

More people = more business, but bad for turtles

Kudat Turtle Conservation Society : 100% managed by the local community, from tourism package booking to running the trips.

They focus on community well-being, spanning all aspects - environment, culture, and social welfare are equally important too #TurtleOpenHouse #WorldTurtleDay

In order to enhance community well being, these are the different facets that they aim to improve

Kudat Turtle Conservation Society has 4 project sites. Their projects are 100% run by local. Citizen science is also incorporated in their work #scicomm #TurtleOpenHouse #WorldTurtleDay

Capacity building is crucial to provide skills for local communities. Collaboration with academic institutions help in improving local livelihoods #scicomm #TurtleOpenHouse #WorldTurtleDay

Funding is a big challenge - people expect conservation run by locals to be cheap (hint: it is not!). COVID-19 pandemic severely restricts income from tourism.

Hotels and government agency in Sabah have started promoting community-based tourism.