THE Penang government believes that conservation education should be instilled from a young age, so that today’s generation will better understand the importance of protecting marine life and preserving the balance of the natural ecosystem.
Speaking after attending the sea turtle eggs hatching programme at the Pantai Kerachut Turtle Conservation and Information Centre in Teluk Bahang this evening, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said turtle conservation efforts today continue to face several major challenges.
“These include marine pollution and ocean waste, disturbances caused by human activities, the use of prohibited fishing equipment, climate and weather changes, as well as uncontrolled coastal development.
“To address these challenges, the Penang government, together with relevant agencies, will continue to strengthen conservation efforts through conservation education programmes, strategic collaborations with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), public awareness initiatives, and research partnerships with universities and institutions related to marine life.
“The state government will also continue to support all turtle conservation and preservation initiatives to ensure that this invaluable natural heritage remains protected and can be passed on to future generations.
“Indeed, turtles may not be able to speak, but through these conservation efforts, we demonstrate that Penang still carries a deep sense of responsibility and strong commitment to safeguarding these priceless natural treasures,” said Chow.
Also present were Penang Rural, Agrotechnology & Food Security and Entrepreneurship Development Committee chairman Datuk Rashidi Zinol, Penang Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim, Pinang Tunggal assemblyman Bukhori Ghazali, Teluk Bahang assemblyman Muhamad Kasim and Chow’s wife Tan Lean Kee.
Chow added that Penang National Park, particularly Pantai Kerachut, holds immense potential as a world-class eco-tourism asset, as turtle conservation within a national park setting is a unique attraction found only in Penang.
“This area is also an ecologically sensitive habitat as it remains free from excessive light pollution and noise pollution that could disrupt turtle landings and hatching processes,” he said.
Chow said that continuous conservation efforts carried out since 1995 at the Pantai Kerachut Turtle Conservation and Information Centre in Teluk Bahang have achieved highly encouraging results.
“From 2021 until April 2026, a total of 273 turtle landings were recorded, 24,357 turtle eggs were successfully collected, and 15,822 hatchlings were successfully incubated and released back into the sea,” he said.
Chow added that visitor statistics at the conservation centre have also shown a highly encouraging increase, proving that environmental conservation can serve as a driving force for the state’s eco-tourism sector.
“Between 2021 and April 2026, a total of 109,351 local visitors were recorded, while 44,951 international visitors visited the centre, bringing the overall number of visitors to 154,302.
“This proves that conservation efforts are not only important from the perspective of biodiversity preservation, but are also capable of generating added value for the tourism, education and local economic sectors,” Chow concluded.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Law Suun Ting