Scuba Junkie, Malaysia – Protection of Natural Areas & Wildlife

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his post congratulates Scuba Junkie for being recognized as a 2013 Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards Winner. This award recognizes tourism businesses’ consideration of their local environment and biodiversity by actively supporting and protecting their natural assets.

Scuba Junkie provides daily dive trips to more than 25 islands in the Celebes Sea in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Whether you want macro diving at Mabul and Kapalai or wish to dive with sharks and turtles at Sipadan Island (frequently voted in the top 10 dives sites in the world) Scuba Junkie will take you there.

Our favourite things about them!

• Good resource efficiency, educating guests, supports local projects.
• Good environmental practices such as solar energy, sewage and grey water treatment, pollution control, native landscaping, etc.
• Good practices and staff engagement in beach cleanups, reef cleanup dives, etc.
• Full-time environmental officer.
• Initiatives to reduce emissions such as boat/transfer sharing.
• Efforts to reduce stress on reef areas frequented by divers.
• Exemplary education / awareness raising, solar power, $70,000 spent on waste cleaning, best available sewage treatment, reef check, turtle hatchery, no seafood (wow!) and dive against debris.
• Makes a worthwhile contribution to marine animal and coastal area conservation.
• Has a strong commitment to sustainable tourism practices.

Inspiring Management

• 2012 Winner Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards ‘Best in Protection of Natural Areas and/or Wildlife Conservation’

Community Engagement and Development

• Access to local communities remains open around the resort.
• Staff, guests and local community are engaged in e.g. beach cleans, school projects.
• Each year spend around $70,000 supporting local waste removal scheme for local community who do not have government support (Bajau Laut community “sea gypsies”) = 150 bins and 10 skips.

Resource Efficiency

• Use solar energy for water heating but aware of need to explore other options, in discussion with consultants about improving energy efficiency and use of fuels.
• Recycle area for staff and guests in restaurant.
• Approximately 80% of products used are biodegradable and are actively looking for ways to improve.

Protection of Natural Areas and Wildlife Conservation

• All land rights and environmental regulations are adhered to.
• Buildings from 60m off the hide tide line to allow access, preserve sea grass and protect nesting turtles.
• Guests provided with information on local customs and environment through compulsory welcome briefing, sign boards and information in their rooms.
• Weekly presentations on shark conservation and sea turtles, pressures and importance are discussed. Also similar at expos, for government, local and international media. To date, hundreds to presentations on the topic.
• Best available sewage treatment plant, Grade A with hydroponic system to water plants with output water and sludge drying beds. Nothing raw released into sea.
• Grease traps in kitchen and grey water processed via onsite Biosolv treatment plant.
• Weekly ‘Dive against Debris’ cleans up, non-recyclable waste taken to mainland and managed by government body.
• Have an environmental area in communal part of resort, TV runs showing their achievements and how guests can play a part.
• Chair Mabul Marine week event and run the Mabul Turtle Hatchery, managed by trained staff and supported by community ‘rangers’. Last year, hatched thousands of eggs.
• Do not use chemical on gardens (use native plants) to prevent run off into sea.
• Use low level lighting on jetty to reduce light pollution.
• Employ a full time Environment Officer (and two Marine Biologists) to engage staff and guests with issues; all staff trained in environmental practices.
• Do not serve any seafood because none available locally that is sourced sustainably.
• All dive guides have excellent reputation for providing ‘do and don’t’ in briefings.
• Certified reef check dive centre, have a reef check trainer and provide eco dive master courses.
• Advise Semporna Shark Sanctuary (aim to protect wider Sipadan area and reefs) and support the Manta Trust.