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Conservation Pangkor Island
Conservation Pangkor Island
Piles of rubbish collected on our beach clean up program

Turtle and Habitat Protection Program

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WE Schools

  • The International School of Western Australia rasied $5000 for this project and directed it to The Pangkor Island Turtle Conservation Project.
  • Protect and restore turtle nesting habitats on Pangkor Island by removing marine debris and planting coastal trees.

The Pangkor Island Turtle Conservation Project, in collaboration with a passionate local conservation group, is dedicated to protecting and restoring turtle nesting habitats on Pangkor Island. In September 2024, World Expeditions Schools sent two groups, totaling 38 students and 6 teachers from the International School of Western Australia, to participate in this program. Students are introduced to the native sea turtle species, the threats they face—including pollution, habitat loss, and climate change—and the conservation strategies being implemented to encourage their return to the island’s beaches. While not guaranteed, there is a chance that students may witness active nests or even participate in the release of hatchlings, depending on the natural nesting cycle.

Throughout the program, students engage in citizen science initiatives, including beach clean-ups on remote turtle nesting beaches, where they collect and record data using the Clean Swell app. This data contributes to a global database to track marine debris sources and inform policy changes. The students often remove over 100 kilograms of waste per group, including fishing nets, ropes, and plastic pollution. They also conduct microplastic surveys as part of The Big Microplastic Survey, a collaboration with the University of Portsmouth, contributing to global research on microplastic pollution.

Additionally, students plant native coastal trees to help regulate sand temperatures and provide shade for turtle nests, mitigating the effects of increased temperatures and microplastic presence. They also work in a tree nursery, planting seedlings that will be used in future reforestation efforts. This hands-on experience allows students to contribute directly to long-term conservation efforts, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges facing sea turtles and coastal ecosystems.

Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Life Below Water:  Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future.

Climate Action:  Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.

Life On Land:  Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Outcomes

Environmental Outcomes

Improved nesting habitats for sea turtles through coastal clean-ups and tree planting, reducing pollution and providing cooler, shaded areas for turtle nests.

Removal of over 100kg of waste per group, helping restore remote nesting beaches and reducing threats from marine debris like fishing nets and plastics.

Reduction in microplastic pollution through data collection and awareness, contributing to long-term coastal health.

Scientific Contributions

Valuable citizen science data submitted to global platforms like the Clean Swell database and The Big Microplastic Survey, supporting international research on marine pollution.

Enhanced understanding of local and global environmental threats affecting sea turtles and coastal ecosystems.

Community & Educational Outcomes

Hands-on conservation experience for students, deepening their environmental knowledge, critical thinking, and sense of global responsibility.

Ongoing tree nursery development, enabling long-term reforestation and student involvement in a multi-year conservation legacy.

Potential participation in hatchling releases, offering a powerful emotional connection to the impact of conservation efforts (when conditions allow).

Background

Pangkor Island, located off the west coast of Malaysia, is a small but ecologically significant area that serves as a nesting ground for several species of sea turtles. In recent decades, these turtle populations have faced growing threats due to coastal development, pollution, habitat degradation, rising global temperatures, and increasing marine debris—especially plastic waste and abandoned fishing gear.

Many of the island’s beaches, once suitable for turtle nesting, have become cluttered with rubbish from tourist activities and ocean currents. This pollution not only obstructs turtles from nesting but also endangers hatchlings trying to reach the sea. Additionally, microplastics in beach sand and higher temperatures are disrupting the delicate balance of hatchling sex ratios, as warmer sand tends to produce more females—a serious issue for long-term species survival.

The project responds to these challenges by partnering with a local conservation organisation that is actively working to protect and restore turtle habitats. Their mission includes engaging youth and community members in hands-on conservation work to preserve the island’s biodiversity and promote sustainable practices. Through this collaboration, students are given the opportunity to contribute to practical, data-driven conservation efforts, helping restore Pangkor’s beaches as safe nesting areas and raising awareness of the global issues surrounding sea turtle survival.

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