Indonesia: Hunters turn into sea turtle protectors

Jakarta Post 13 Aug 13;

Kurma Asih literarily means “turtle protector” and in Perancak village these words identify a community group that protects turtle nests, eggs and baby turtles.

“We were once the main supplier of turtles and turtle meat for big customers in Badung regency and Denpasar,” recalled I Nyoman Bagiada.

In the past, many villagers in Perancak worked as turtle poachers. They caught adult turtles, placed them in a temporary pond before trafficking the animals to several black markets both in Bali and beyond. Hundreds, or perhaps thousands of turtles were poached and killed for human consumption.

In 1997, WWF International started work with the local community to end the turtle hunting as the massive killing and illegal trafficking of turtles had reduced the marine turtle population in Bali’s waters. However, in 2002 WWF stopped its operation in Perancak Bay leaving the community group to manage its own turtle conservation program.

In Bali, turtles have long been killed for their meat. Green turtle consumption in Bali reached its climax in the late 1970s, when more than 30,000 green turtles were caught each year. In 2002, this had reduced to an estimated 684 turtles every month, WWF reported.

In 2012, Kurma Asih community group obtained support from Pro Fauna Indonesia, an environmental organization, to continue its efforts for turtle conservation.

Through various education and training activities, Kurma Asih is now growing into a dedicated turtle protector group and is calling on local residents to commit to conserving turtles. “We have given special rewards to locals who protect turtle nests and who take care of baby turtles,” Bagiada said.

Initiated by I Wayan Tirta, Kurma Asih has been working hard to convince residents to change their professions from turtle poachers and traders to turtle protectors, an effort which has been very successful.

Jatmiko Wiwiho from Pro Fauna explained that Perancak was the most prolific turtle egg supplier in Bali—a place that badly needed protection from illegal poachers.

“It is hoped that the Perancak villagers can develop a sustainable way of protecting and conserving turtles,” Wiwiho said.

Pro Fauna, he said, had still found illegal turtle trafficking and poaching in Bali. “Turtle meat consumption remains very high in Badung and other parts of Bali,” stated Wiwiho.

The strong commitment of local residents, community groups, governments and the industry were needed to ensure that marine turtles were heavily protected, he said.

— Luh De Suriyani