Reef Guardian Sdn. Bhd.
The Sea Turtle Directory
Country: Malaysia
Organization / Project Name: Reef Guardian Sdn. Bhd.
Website: https://www.reefguardian.com.my/
Email: reefguardian2004@yahoo.com
Description: Reef Guardian Sdn. Bhd. is a non-profit company that established its main base on Lankayan Island in 2004, within a marine protected area known as the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA). Reef Guardian was appointed as the site manager of SIMCA by the State Government of Sabah through the Sabah Wildlife Department. Gazetted on 3rd December 2001, SIMCA encompasses an area of 46,317 hectares, which includes three islands (Lankayan, Billean, and Tegaipil) and open sea. The open sea area is characterised by fringing and submerged reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy bottoms. All three islands within SIMCA serve as nesting sites for sea turtles, namely the green turtle and hawksbill turtle. The sea turtle monitoring programme was previously managed by Lankayan Island Dive Resort. Reef Guardian took over the programme on Lankayan Island in 2004, extending it to Billean Island in 2009 and Tegaipil Island in 2019. The main objectives of the sea turtle monitoring programme are (i) to monitor nesting activities, (ii) protect nesting females by reducing human-induces disturbance that may hinder nesting attempt, and (iii) to maximize hatching rates of baby turtles to be released to the sea; and to promote sea turtle conservation awareness among SIMCA visitors.
Species of focus: Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata), Green turtles (Chelonia mydas)
Volunteer program: No
Tourist activities (Y/N): Yes
Primary Areas of Work: Environmental education/community outreach, Pollution mitigation, Fisheries bycatch reduction / management, Beach protection, Stranding response, Nesting beach monitoring
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/ReefGuardian
Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/reefguardianmalaysia/