8 May 2026, Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Wildlife Department, WWF-Malaysia, and Mataking Reef Resort have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a sea turtle conservation multi-partner project in Semporna, leveraging cutting-edge technology.
The project focuses on the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), for which Sabah hosts a significant population in its waters. Despite its critically endangered global status in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, data gaps remain in Malaysia, posing challenges in conservation efforts.
To help address these gaps, the partnership features two innovative components. The first, ShellBank – a traceability toolkit and global database of marine turtle DNA that enables conservationists and enforcement agencies to identify populations and trace sea turtles—dead or alive—back to their population of origin.
Complementing this, satellite tracking will monitor sea turtle movements along their migratory routes, helping to identify critical habitats and generate data for more targeted conservation action. By combining genetic analysis with real-time tracking, the project equips the government and conservation partners with a powerful tool to safeguard these ancient mariners across Sabah and the wider region.
Spearheading sea turtle conservation in Sabah, Sabah Wildlife Department’s Director, Mohd. Soffian Abu Bakar said, “We are glad to pioneer such innovative initiatives, which are the first of their kind in the region to be led by a state government agency. Sabah Wildlife Department is committed to protecting these turtles and safeguarding our national heritage, especially the Hawksbill turtle.”
Sophia Sie, Managing Director of Mataking Reef Resort, added, “Mataking Island is one of Sabah’s most important Hawksbill turtle nesting sites. As a business operating here, we are committed to safeguarding these turtles and making conservation a core part of our work, supported by our in-house team and honorary wildlife wardens.”
From WWF-Malaysia, Tay Mooi Geok, Senior Director, Partnerships, said, “For the longest time, we have had very little information about where the Hawksbill turtles go after they lay eggs on our shores in Semporna. Soon, we will gain these insights, helping us better conserve them. This multi-partner project, in collaboration with the Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Marine Research Foundation, catalysed by the early support of Albizia & Friends—brings together science and stewardship to guide conservation decisions and safeguard these ancient and endangered mariners.”
Together, these efforts contribute to the Blue Corridors for Turtles initiative (BC4T), which seek to map turtle movement by connecting nesting beaches, migratory routes, and foraging grounds. By integrating genetic and movement data, BC4T aims to build a clearer, science-based understanding of distinct turtle populations across the region to inform Important Marine Turtle Areas (IMTAs).
The 2-years project builds on long-standing conservation partnerships in Mataking Island, where Sabah Wildlife Department together with Mataking Reef Resort and WWF-Malaysia, recorded over 460 Hawksbill turtle nests between 2009 and 2025, including 119 nests in 2025 alone. The formalisation of this MoU further strengthens collaborative management, integrates scientific research into practical conservation actions, and reinforces enforcement efforts to protect sea turtles from illegal trade, bycatch, and poaching.
Initially introduced by TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network and Danau Girang Field Centre, ShellBank is now being piloted in Sabah, Malaysia by the Sabah Wildlife Department, WWF-Malaysia, and Mataking Reef Resort, with support from Universiti Malaysia Sabah and the Marine Research Foundation. This initiative demonstrates how innovative science, inclusive governance, and responsible tourism can work hand in hand to conserve marine biodiversity, ensuring Sabah’s sea turtles continue to thrive for generations to come.
You can reach out to ShellBank if you have marine turtle data to contribute or if you’d like to support us at www.shellbankproject.org.
This article was originally published on WWF-Malaysia’s website. Readers may view the original article here.
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Notes to Editors
About ShellBank
ShellBank is led by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in partnership with the Australian Museum – Australian Centre for Wildlife Genomics, NOAA – Southwest Fisheries Science Center, and TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network. By bringing together multiple organisations, countries and communities to develop a global repository for marine turtle DNA, ShellBank provides a toolkit of operating procedures, capacity building and training packages to guide its uptake and use across the globe, along with advancing scientific development. Shellbank aims to become a vital resource for law enforcement and conservation research. By allowing routine identification of populations most impacted by threats – such as the illegal turtle trade and bycatch – ShellBank can help identify turtle populations that are most at risk and in need of protection.
About WWF-Malaysia
World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) was established in 1972 and is part of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the international conservation organisation. Working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and nature, WWF-Malaysia’s efforts to conserve nature focus on six major themes: forests, oceans, wildlife, food, climate and energy, as well as freshwater. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. Find our latest news here: https://www.wwf.org.my/media_and_information/media_centre_and_updates/
About Sabah Wildlife Department
The Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) is the state agency responsible for the protection, conservation, and management of wildlife and protected areas in Sabah. Established in 1988 under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, SWD administers and enforces the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 and works to conserve Sabah’s rich biodiversity through wildlife management, enforcement, research, rescue operations, and community engagement. Guided by a vision of people living in harmony with nature, SWD is committed to safeguarding Sabah’s natural heritage for present and future generations.
About Mataking Reef Resort
Mataking Reef Resort, established in 2003, is a premier private island resort nestled in the pristine waters of the Celebes Sea on Mataking Island, off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia. Over the years, the resort has evolved into a distinguished eco-luxury destination, offering 63 well-appointed rooms, exceptional diving experiences, and direct access to vibrant marine ecosystems. Renowned for its commitment to sustainability and marine conservation, the resort is also home to a dedicated turtle hatchery and conservation programme since 2006, contributing to the protection and rehabilitation of endangered sea turtles. Together with its iconic underwater post office, Mataking Reef Resort continues to set the benchmark for exclusive island getaways in the region. Website: https://mataking.com/enerations.
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For media enquiries, contact:
Lim Jia Ling
jllim@wwf.sg | +65 92980961
For more information, please visit www.shellbankproject.org or write to shellbank@wwfint.org.