Sea Turtle Eggs and Hatchlings Need Help
Based on National Act No. 5 Year 1999, sea turtle egg included on the list of protected wildlife/parts in Indonesia. WCU (Wildlife Crime Unit) accepted reports of illegal sea turtle eggs and hatchlings trade in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Jakarta.
WCU recorded that one trader has sold out more than 3,000 sea turtle eggs within a day in 2009. Fortunately, the trader was arrested and the illegal trade has been closed. But, eggs trade still running in West Sumatra and East Sumatra. Based on BKSDA West Sumatra notes, at least 5,000 eggs have been sold within a month by a trader. At least there are 22 egg traders in Padang, capital city of West Sumatra, with total omzet per month reach IDR 133 million.
In Jakarta, WCU recorded sea turtle hatchlings trade in East Jakarta and Yogyakarta bird market in April-October 2011. The traders mixed the sea turtle hatchlings with Brazil turtles to avoid detection. The hatchlings keep in fresh water, mean that this method suffering the animal. The hatchling will survive for a week and then death, but the time period is enough for trader to avoid buyer complaining. The hatchlings indicated came from southern part of West Java coastal area, near Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi. We need to do important step and action both government and partners to reduce and stop illegal sea turtle eggs and hatchlings trade. (dna)
