Mrz
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Written by:
frank zindel
04.03.2008
An investigation in 2007 by ProFauna Indonesia has revealed that Green sea turtle poaching for trade is still continuing in South East Sulawesi, Indonesia. The investigation conducted by ProFauna, in collaboration with the World Society for the Protection of Animals, reported that about 1,115 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are caught in the region every year.
Most of them are said to have been poached in the Wakatobi National Park area, while some are caught in Moramo, Ereke, and Tikep regions. According to the investigation, the majority of the poached turtles are smuggled to Bali, where high demand for turtle meat increases the poaching in South East Sulawesi. There are reportedly two or three such shipments each year.
I Wayan Wiradnyana, ProFauna's Sea Turtle Campaign Coordinator, stated, "Although the sea turtle trade in South East Sulawesi has drastically decreased since 2006, the rangers and police must remain alert since the smuggling still goes on enroute to Bali". On 28 December 2007, the police siezed 12 green sea turtles from a trader in Bali, which were suspected to have been smuggled from South East Sulawesi.
Law enforcement is the key to stop the illegal trade of sea turtles. It effects greatly Bali and some areas in Sulawesi. The government must control the Wakatobi National Park as it becomes the sea turtle poaching site.
Indonesia is an important country in the global sea turtle conservation. Six out of seven sea turtle species in the world are indigenous to Indonesian waters. They are green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), the olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), and the flatback turtle (Natator depressus).
All sea turtle species are protected by Indonesian wildlife law, as stated in the 1990 legislation concerning the Natural Resource and Ecosystem Conservations. The wildlife trade, including sea turtle and its parts, is prohibited. The offenders are liable to a maximum five-year prison term and a maximum 100 million Rupiah fine.
Based on information contained in ProFauna Indonesia press release of 27 February 2008.
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