INOS-MMS Empower Industry Partnership in Conservation
By Mohd Uzair Rusli
On 7th September 2020, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and MISC Maritime Services (MMS) officiated the strategic cooperation at the launch of the ‘UMT-MMS Sea Turtle Conservation Program’. The established relationship supports turtle research and conservation efforts at Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary, Pulau Redang.
As a research group, SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 17: Partnership For The Goals are missions Sea Turtle Research Unit (SEATRU) strives to achieve through efforts in understanding sea literacy. MMS or MISC Maritime Services (MMS) is a company under MISC, responsible for managing port terminals and marine services, and intends to contributeto marine biodiversity conservation efforts through their program ‘Heart of the Ocean’. The presence of corporate support such as MMS has provided a new synergy in efforts to conserve marine life such as sea turtles
Since 1998, SEATRU-UMT has been actively conducting a flagship program known as the Turtle Volunteer Program, which provides a different and unique volunteering experience through the concept of experiential tourism. Volunteers must pay registration fees to experience the turtle conservation efforts at the Marine Turtle Field Station at the Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary, Pulau Redang. To date, this 25-year long program was supported by more than 4,000 volunteers and is now accepting corporates involvement.
Cooperation with MMS began with direct involvement through financing and experiencing 20 volunteers themselves in the turtle conservation efforts at Chagar Hutang. MMS also contributes to the improvement of facilities at the sanctuary, increased branding and mobilized more outreach activities or turtle awareness outreach programs, hoping that it will increase turtle conservation awareness to society.
Paid volunteer programs such as those implemented at Chagar Hutang have successfully generated turtle conservation management funds by only volunteers’ involvement. Paid volunteer programs such as the Turtle Volunteer Program can attract conservation enthusiasts visiting Terengganu, on vacation while engaging in turtle conservation efforts. Such programs can also generate income for the government and indirectly raise awareness in taking care of the marine environment. The success of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu in continuing conservation activities in Chagar Hutang through this paid turtle volunteer program, sees the potential of such programs to be expanded to other turtle landing beaches in Terengganu. In this regard, the impact on the state of Terengganu is huge, if such programs can be implemented in other areas throughout nesting beaches in Terengganu.
“Once again, I would like to congratulate MISC Maritime Services (MMS) for initiating the first step in the turtle conservation effort, our natural treasure. We believe MMS will be a leader and example for other corporate companies to start engaging in marine conservation activities.” said Prof. Dato’ Dr. Nor Aieni Binti Haji Mokhtar, Vice Chancellor of UMT.
We are willing to share the results of the conservation project success, the Turtle Volunteer Program, to be translated and implemented on other beaches. Here, UMT is ready to help any party interested in establishing a cooperative relationship, through the Department of Fisheries Malaysia, jointly improve the potential of this program to be implemented in other areas in Terengganu, while simultaneously assists in enhancing turtle conservation and ensuring the survival of turtle species in Terengganu.
