In late 2010, HSI supported Indonesian project partners, ProFauna
Indonesia, in conducting
investigations into the illegal trade of turtle eggs occurring openly in
Kalimantan,
Indonesia.
Indonesian legislation for Natural Resources
and Ecosystems Conservation (Act 5, 1990) protects all of the six species of sea
turtles found in Indonesian waters - the green turtle (Chelonia mydas),
hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea),
leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), flatback turtle (Natator depressus)
and loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). Trafficking perpetrators of protected
species, including sea turtle eggs, are liable for imprisonment of five years
and a fine of 100 million IDR (approx. 10,000 AUD). Nevertheless, the illegal
market for sea turtle eggs is still heavily active.
As a significant amount of the illegal trade
occurs in Kalimantan, ProFauna Indonesia sent teams to locations within the four
provinces of Kalimantan to survey illegal trade
activities, including sites where eggs were sold and harvested.
Findings from the report, Trade of Sea
Turtle Eggs in Kalimantan, confirmed that the illegal trade of turtle eggs
remains a lucrative market in Kalimantan. ProFauna estimates that within Samarinda (East
Kalimantan) alone, there is an average of 1,000 turtle eggs sold per
day, which equates to roughly 365,000 per year. Overall, the report estimated
that approximately 100,000 turtle eggs are illegally traded in Kalimantan every month.
What this demonstrates is that Indonesia’s conservation efforts are
at high risk if the illegal trade of turtle eggs continues. Among the 29
visited locations across Kalimantan, 62%
harboured illegal turtle egg trading. There is also evidence that a large
proportion of illegally harvested eggs are smuggled across the border to
Malaysia, indicating that illegal
trade crosses national boundaries. Worryingly, the report has further disclosed
that the turtle eggs traded in Kalimantan not
only come from this island but are supplied from several other locations. Of
particular significance are suppliers who illegally harvest turtle eggs from the
regional nature reserves of the Sembilan Islands in South
Kalimantan.
This recent report now shows clearly that in
order to secure the survival of Indonesia’s marine turtle populations, the
illegal trade of turtle eggs in Kalimantan needs to be brought under control,
particularly in areas of high trade activity such as the province of West
Kalimantan.
The Trade of Sea Turtle Eggs in Kalimantan report has proven invaluable as ProFauna and
HSI have successfully used it to lobby the Indonesian government for stricter
law enforcement efforts. Having already shown commitment to ending the illegal
trade of turtle eggs across Indonesia, the government recently invited ProFauna to take part in discussions on the matter in Jakarta. As a result, the
government of Indonesia
responded positively to ProFauna's report and HSI's correspondence about the
illegal trade of sea turtle eggs in Kalimantan.
They stated that they would take actions to stop the trade, and persist with
meetings to discuss detailed action plans to tackle the illegal trade of sea
turtle eggs in Kalimantan.
To read the Trade of Sea Turtle Eggs in
Kalimantan report, click
here.
To report is also available in a video
format here.
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