Pictures and information are from Mantanani Divers Facebook Page.

Mantanani island, which is located in Kota Belud, about two hours of drive from the state capital of Sabah is an important nursery ground for juvenile green and hawksbill turtles in Malaysia.

According to Mantanani Divers, those species normally come from Sandakan, Sarawak, Terengganu and Sulu Sea with genetic connection as far as Australia and Indonesia.

“These cute creatures often settle in Mantanani waters before they continue their journey to other places, sometimes months and even years.”

However, the diving community is saddened to witness the death of a juvenile Hawksbill during their recent clean-up dive.

“We tried to set it free from the ghost nets but unfortunately, it was too late.

“Sea turtles need to surface for oxygen as they cannot breathe underwater.”

Mantanani Divers also remind people that the ocean is plagued with the dumping of trash particularly single-use items.

“The things you use once, may ‘torture’ the oceans forever. The next time you use and dispose something, think how it might affect others.

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try going to sleep with ONE mosquito. “