Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation Opens at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa

The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, a turtle shelter and education centre, has opened at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa.

The grand opening was celebrated with the signing of the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Conservation Declaration by 10 hospitality operators, and 3 government sectors.

The declaration was signed by a representative of Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, Anantara Vacation Club Phuket Mai Khao, Dvaree Mai Khao Beach, Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Mai Khao, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Maikhao Dream Villa Resort and Spa Phuket, Marriott Vacation Club Resort, Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa, Sala Phuket Resort & Spa, Baan Maikhao Phuket by Sansiri, Mai Khao Sub District Administrative Organization, Phuket Marine Biological Centre, Sirinart National Park and Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation.

“I am very honored to be here today to represent the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation at the Turtle Shelter and Education Center Grand Opening. I was personally involved with this project when it started 14 years ago when we had a very large leatherback come and lay her eggs in front of the hotel during the hotel opening time, I am very happy to report that she was back again last year laying more eggs. Together with the PMBC, IUCN, our partners and local community we have spent 14 years protecting the turtles of Mai Khao and educating people about their plight,” said, Katherine Heinecke, Honorary Chairperson of The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation.

Declaration of Marine Turtle Conservation at Mai Khao Beach

1) The association realizes the state of the threatened marine turtles at Mai Khao Beach and is also aware of how important turtle conservation is. Thus, it initiates a joint action for the restoration of Mai Khao Beach as a marine turtles’ habitat and nesting site in Thailand and the region.

2) The association will abide by an ecofriendly strategic effort for the marine turtle and its environment upon the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources’ code of conduct of turtle nesting ground management and also the Indian Ocean South East Asia’s MOU.

3) Hospitality operators will promote and create the economic mechanism to support marine turtle conservation activity at Mai Khao Beach.

4) Local authorities will promote and support the participation of the public for the preservation of relevant local traditional culture regarding the marine turtles at Mai Khao Beach.

5) Sirinart National Park performs an effective protection for the marine turtle’s nesting site and habitat and promotes the participation of owners for turtle conservation and management in its own property.

6) Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) is doing scientific research, monitoring and assessing the status of marine turtles at Mai Khao Beach as well as providing technical advice to the association.

7) Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation is acting as a coordinator in promoting and supporting collaboration among the associations.  Under this declaration, the association will conduct an annual meeting to stimulate Mai Khao turtle conservation program into an evident success.

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