The Turtle Conservation and Information Centre (TCIC) was built by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia and managed by the State Fisheries Office. It is a centre for information, learning, shelter, hatching and research on turtles. The centre is also used as a treatment centre for turtles that are found stranded and injured.
The steps to conserve turtles include:
- Do not eat turtle eggs
- Do not disturb turtles during laying eggs
- Do not disturb baby turtles departing into the sea
- Do not buy handicrafts/souvenirs made from turtles
- Do not throw rubbish on the beach/sea/river
- Do not throw nets/trawls/fishing rods into the sea
- Support turtle conservation activities carried out in Malaysia
- Contact the Department of Fisheries Malaysia at 03-8888 5019 if there are stranded turtles
The main objectives of the centres are:
- Conserve and protect turtle landing areas.
- Regulate turtle egg collection activities from natural turtle nests.
- Collect, gather and bury turtle eggs at hatchery sites for hatching purposes.
- Preserve and nurture baby turtles until they are at the right size to be released into the sea (original habital).
- Conduct scientific studies on turtles involving research officers from within and outside the country.
- Raise awareness about turtle conservation to all walks of life.
- Make the Turtle Conservation and Information Centre a tourist attraction.
Turtle Conservation and Information Centre was established in 1985. There are six (6) turtle conservation centres and one (1) turtle showroom throughout peninsular Malaysia, namely:
- Pantai Kerachut, Pulau Pinang Turtle Conservation & Information Centre
- Segari, Perak Turtle Conservation & Information Center
- Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan Turtle Showroom, Fish Ornamental Centre
- Padang Kemunting, Melaka Turtle Conservation & Information Centre
- Cherating, Pahang Turtle Conservation & Information Centre
- Rantau Abang Turtle Conservation & Information Centre
Landing of Turtles Statistic in Malaysia (2000-2020)
Incubation of Sea Turtle Eggs Statistic in Malaysia (2000-2020)
Hatching of Sea Turtles Statistic in Malaysia (2000-2020)
This center is used as a reference centre by the public about turtle species.
Among the importance and functions of the center are as follows: –
- Turtle Beach Management and Monitoring
- Turtle Population Monitoring
- Hatching and Release
- Regulation and Enforcement
- Education and Public Awareness
- Research
PROHIBITED ACTIVTIES
Among the prohibited activities are:
- Teasing / touching the turtle on display
- Making noise
- Dispose of trash
- Invading restricted areas
ALLOWED ACTIVITIES
Among the allowed activities are:
- Take pictures inside turtle conservation and information centres and in permitted areas
- View exhibitions about turtles in the showroom
- Participate in activities to release baby turtles into the sea or any turtle conservation awareness programme organised by the centre / State Department of Fisheries
- Joining the beach area cleaning programme, turtle centre and exhibition pool cleaning
