Belambangan and Sambit situated next to the Muaras atoll are the most Easterly islands of the Derawan archipelago. The islands are the furthest away from the mainland and therefore the most threatened. They are the last two of the five main turtle nesting islands in the archipelago that must still be protected. Unlike the island of Sangalaki, Mataha and Bilangbilangan the TURTLE FOUNDATION has yet to build the infrastructure on Belambangan and Sambit in oder to accomodate rangers. But due to lack of funds this plan had still to be postponed. The expansion of our projects in Indonesia (Mataha and Bilangbilangan) together with the start of a very important protection program on Cape Verde has increased the financial needs of the TURTLE FOUNDATION significantly. Therefore, additional sponsors and donors are needed badly.
But recent highly alarming news from Belambangan und Sambit made it clear that one could not wait any longer and that immediate action must be taken. The TURTLE FOUNDATION was informed that fishermen from Sulawesi and Madura are not only looting turtle nests but also killing turtles for their meat. In addition the terrible method of bomb and cyanid fishing as well as shark finning is common practice amongst these fishermen whose number is constantly increasing.
As a matter of urgency the TURTLE FOUNDATION asked Extra Divers for help. They have been running a dive resort in the area (Nabucco Island Resort) for several years already and are about to open a new resort (Nunukan) which is only one hour away (by boat) from Belambangan.
Extra Divers immediately realized how serious the situation is and offered their help. Thanks to Extra Divers the construction of a ranger station on Belambangan is on its way and it may well be that rangers can be sent to the island as early as the beginning of August. From then on Belambangan and Sambit will be safe. In addition it is planned to operate daily boat patrols from Belambangan to the Muaras atoll which is ecologically very valuable. The bomb and cyanid fishing in this atoll must be stopped urgently. Hence, it is not only the sea turtles but the entire marine fauna and flora in this area that will ultimately benefit from the ranger station on Belambangan.
Many thanks to:
