MELAKA: Pulau Upeh should be actively promoted as a hawksbill turtle sanctuary, says the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA).
On the island off Melaka, state MATTA chapter president Goh Hock Gin said that he is concerned that the island has been neglected, despite being the largest nesting site in the region for the critically endangered hawksbill turtle.
"There were previous plans by the state government to attract tourists and to designate the island as a turtle sanctuary.
"I believe stakeholders can do more to protect the hawksbill turtles and assist tourism players in diversifying the products and experiences offered to visitors," he said in an interview on Monday (June 9).
Goh also voiced his disappointment after attending a beach clean-up programme at Pulau Upeh in conjunction with World Ocean Day 2025 on Sunday (June 8).
"The island is filled with rubbish, which hampers efforts to achieve a high rate of hatching," he said.
Goh urged the state government to commission a study to assess the impact of climate change and coastal reclamation on the turtle population.
The beach clean-up was organised by local NGOs, including the Sungai Project, Sail and Science, and Save Our Shores Melaka (SOS).
Around 60 volunteers participated, collecting more than 900 kilograms of rubbish.
This included 410 kg of plastic bottles, styrofoam, discarded clothing, mixed plastic waste, and construction debris.
Marine biologist and Sungai Project founder Maria Marcos highlighted the difficulties faced by hatchlings when nesting areas are polluted.
"Nesting season typically runs from May to September, and Pulau Upeh remains one of the last strongholds for female hawksbill turtles to lay their eggs.
"However, a polluted beach not only discourages nesting females but can also lead to the failure of entire nests due to fungus, toxins, or predators such as monitor lizards," she said.
Meanwhile, Director of Sail and Science Frits van Walsem said the clean-up initiative aimed to give these turtles a better chance to nest successfully.
"This is just the beginning of our initiative. We intend to engage with the relevant authorities and support them in ongoing turtle conservation efforts," he added.
