Tanjung Benoa, Bali was notorious as the hub of the illegal sea turtle trade in Indonesia. In 1999, ProFauna Indonesia (a sea turtle conservation group and partner with Turtle Foundation) launched its investigation report revealing that 9,000 turtles were slaughtered within 4 months in Bali. Responding to the report, between 2000 and 2002 the authorities had conducted confiscation operations and law enforcement on the illegal trade.
What is the condition of the trade in the island between 2011 and early 2012? Since the massive enforcement operations, the trade has been decreasing drastically but it has not stopped. ProFauna records show that on 5th July 2011, the Marine Police of Bali seized 18 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) about to be smuggled to Tanjung Benoa. In conclusion, sea turtle trade in Bali still happens secretly and in very organized ways.
What can you do?
– Do not visit the tourism places exploiting sea turtle like Pulau Penyu (Sea Turtle Island) in Tanjung Benoa, Bali.
– Do not buy sea turtle shell jewelry and souvenirs.
Send a letter and/or email to encourage the government to enforce the law to curb the illegal trade of the sea turtle shell jewelry and souvenirs in Pulau Penyu, Tanjung Benoa. Send your letter to the following:
Bali Governor, Made Mangku Pastika
Jl. Basuki Rahmat Nitimandala Denpasar Bali Indonesia
Tel. (+62361) 35155
Fax. (+62361) 433840 – 247431
Email: info@baliprov.go.id
Zulkifli Hasan SE. MM
Menteri Kehutanan Republik Indonesia (The Forestry Minister)
Gedung Manggala Wanabakti Blok I Lt. 3
Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto
Jakarta 10270
Email: menhut@dephut.go.id
For further information please contact:
ProFauna Bali Representative
Mobile: +62 817 970 6066
For the complete article excerpted above, see ProFauna’s article at: Illegal turtle trade in Bali