| Reef Guardian Sdn. Bhd |
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Sea Turtle Program
Lankayan Island is a nesting site for both green (Chelonia
mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles, and the
island appears to be an important foraging area for these two
species. The main objective of the program is to protect nesting
females and nesting beaches, and to maximize hatching rates
of baby turtles for release to the sea.
Nightly turtle patrols take place to protect nesting turtles from
human disturbances that may cause turtles to fail to lay their
eggs, and to avoid poaching of turtle eggs. All eggs from each
nesting site are removed and brought to the hatchery for
incubation. Hatchlings are released immediately into the sea so
as to increase their chances of surviving the first hours at sea.
The number of nestings has been increasing since 2004. Total
recorded nestings for both green and hawksbill turtles was
138 nests in 2004, 181 nests in 2005, 296 in 2006 and 158 nests in
2007. Green turtle nests comprised 70% of total nests.
mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles, and the
island appears to be an important foraging area for these two
species. The main objective of the program is to protect nesting
females and nesting beaches, and to maximize hatching rates
of baby turtles for release to the sea.
Nightly turtle patrols take place to protect nesting turtles from
human disturbances that may cause turtles to fail to lay their
eggs, and to avoid poaching of turtle eggs. All eggs from each
nesting site are removed and brought to the hatchery for
incubation. Hatchlings are released immediately into the sea so
as to increase their chances of surviving the first hours at sea.
The number of nestings has been increasing since 2004. Total
recorded nestings for both green and hawksbill turtles was
138 nests in 2004, 181 nests in 2005, 296 in 2006 and 158 nests in
2007. Green turtle nests comprised 70% of total nests.
In 2006, Reef Guardian received financial support of
US$20,000 from Conservation International-Philippines to
extended a similar monitoring program toward Billean and
Tagaipil Islands. Furthermore, we also received generous
donation (Euro 400) from Gary & Emmy Loessbers to
purchase a thousand turtle tags from the United States for a
nesting turtle tagging program.
US$20,000 from Conservation International-Philippines to
extended a similar monitoring program toward Billean and
Tagaipil Islands. Furthermore, we also received generous
donation (Euro 400) from Gary & Emmy Loessbers to
purchase a thousand turtle tags from the United States for a
nesting turtle tagging program.
Our Partners
| Green turtle, Chelonia mydas |
| Hawksbill turtle, Erectmochelys imbricata |
| Lankayan Island Turtle hatchery |
| Baby turtle release |
Note:
Newly emerge hatchlings
undergoes a hyperactive
behavious that swim rapidly to
distances themselves from
predator-rich nearshore waters.
The faster they swim, the better
chance to survive!
Thus we release baby turtle to the
sea immediately after emerge.
Newly emerge hatchlings
undergoes a hyperactive
behavious that swim rapidly to
distances themselves from
predator-rich nearshore waters.
The faster they swim, the better
chance to survive!
Thus we release baby turtle to the
sea immediately after emerge.
| Hyperactive behaviour |
Tag No:
MY (L) 0001-1001
MY (L) 0001-1001
Contact info:
Tel:60-89-675999
Tel:60-89-675999
Marine biodiversity survey
The reefs around Lankayan Island are rich in biodiversity,
with a large variety and abundance of fish, macrolife, and
corals. There are over 35 fringing and patch reefs ranging from
a minimum depth of 2 meters to a maximum depth of 26
meters. The reefs around Lankayan Island is generally good
with majority of hard coral substrate.
with a large variety and abundance of fish, macrolife, and
corals. There are over 35 fringing and patch reefs ranging from
a minimum depth of 2 meters to a maximum depth of 26
meters. The reefs around Lankayan Island is generally good
with majority of hard coral substrate.
| Comparison percentage of coral cover from 2005 to 2007 |
| Barramudi cod |
Butterflyfish, the reef indicator species
The average hatching rate from the hatchery was 70% in
2006 and 80% in 2008. In 2004, the programme successfully
released 5121 hatchlings to sea, and the number increased to
11,667 in 2005. The increase in total nestings and hatching
success indicates the success of the program in protecting
nesting turtles.As a part of the program, Reef Guardian is
providing sea turtle nesting & baby turtle watching to
visitors on Lankayan Island for free. The program is part of
the educational program to promote sea turtle conservation.
Rules and regulations for the watching program are strictly
enforced.
2006 and 80% in 2008. In 2004, the programme successfully
released 5121 hatchlings to sea, and the number increased to
11,667 in 2005. The increase in total nestings and hatching
success indicates the success of the program in protecting
nesting turtles.As a part of the program, Reef Guardian is
providing sea turtle nesting & baby turtle watching to
visitors on Lankayan Island for free. The program is part of
the educational program to promote sea turtle conservation.
Rules and regulations for the watching program are strictly
enforced.
Over 400 fish species, 70 species of nudibranches, 6 species
of giant clam, and at least 200 species of coral have been
recorded around Lankayan Island. Since 2005 fish
abundance and coral cover around Lankayan's reefs have
been assessed twice yearly to record the general status of
fish populations & reef health. The Line Intercept Transect
(LIT) method is used to count fish abundance. Commercial
fish species such as groupers, snappers, emperors and
fusiliers are monitored. Reef health indicator species such as
butterflyfish is also surveyed and recorded to assess
changes to reef health over time.
of giant clam, and at least 200 species of coral have been
recorded around Lankayan Island. Since 2005 fish
abundance and coral cover around Lankayan's reefs have
been assessed twice yearly to record the general status of
fish populations & reef health. The Line Intercept Transect
(LIT) method is used to count fish abundance. Commercial
fish species such as groupers, snappers, emperors and
fusiliers are monitored. Reef health indicator species such as
butterflyfish is also surveyed and recorded to assess
changes to reef health over time.
School of Blue & yellow fusilier
| Marine Conservation |
Copyright of Reef Guardian Sdn Bhd. 2008