Bandar Seri Begawan - A group of 45 teachers and students from the Counselling and Career Department of Sayyidina Husain Secondary School (SM Sayyidina Husain) paid an educational visit to the Biodiversity Research and Innovation Centre in Meragang. The group was welcomed by the officer-in-charge on that day.

The visit was aimed to increase awareness on the importance of protecting our environment and wildlife both on land and at sea, including the sea turtles.

The group was briefed on the facility at the centre which showcases the biodiversity of marine life in the Sultanate.

During the briefing, the students were introduced to three species of sea turtles that landed on Brunei shores to nest, which are the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) or 'Penyu Kangkam', the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) or 'Penyu Sisik' and the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) or 'Penyu Lipas'.

The students were enlightened on how the conservation programme is carried out. During the nesting seasons, patrols will be conducted along Brunei shores by the officers to search and locate any signs of nesting.

After the briefing, the students were given the opportunity to tour the facility. They went to the nursery pool where they could see the sea turtles.

Then they were brought to the Coral Zone to see different types of corals in the oceans. In the Dive Zone, they learnt different diving sites and the do's and don'ts while diving as well as the myriad of marine life the oceans offer.

At the end of the visit, one of the officers presented a souvenir to the school and a group photo was taken.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin