Turtles under threat in W. Sumatra, Yogyakarta

Syofiardi Bachyul and Slamet Susanto, Padang/Yogyakarta

The theft of eggs of three protected turtle species in West Sumatra is threatening the very existence of the turtles, researcher Harfiandri Damanhuri has warned.

Harfiandri estimated that some 22,000 turtle eggs are traded at Muara Padang Beach, South Pesisir regency in the province every 10 weeks, with more being sold overseas to Singapore and Malaysia. Most of the eggs are taken from Penyu (Turtle) island, also in South Pesisir.

Harfiandri, a turtle researcher from Bung Hatta University in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, disclosed that he recently saw turtle eggs being sold in at least 16 kiosks in the Muara Padang tourist destination.

Each egg was being sold for Rp 2,000 (US 21 cents) to Rp 3,000, far higher than the usual retail price of Rp 600 to Rp 800.

Turtle eggs have become popular as people believe they promote longevity.

Data obtained by Harfiandri shows that at least 40 turtles swam ashore on Turtle island each night in 1995, but this year only seven per night come ashore.

"I predict that in 10 years time, only one turtle will swim ashore," Harfiandri said.

Turtles swimming ashore on Turtle island are the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) has not been spotted on Turtle island since 2001.

Despite a government decree declaring the island a turtle conservation area, local residents defiantly continue to poach turtle eggs.

"They have been doing it for years, plus they consider the island their ancestral land, so it's difficult to put an end to the practice," said Harfiandri.

Harfiandri claimed that egg poaching was not restricted to Turtle island but also occurred on other islands in the province, including in the territory of Pasaman, Agam, Padang Pariaman, South Pesisir and Mentawai islands regencies.

On Mentawai islands, locals steal not only the eggs but also the turtles, which they eat.

"The government must find ways to prevent the turtle from becoming extinct. If not, the turtle will become something we can only read about," he said.

While it is unclear what the West Sumatra government intends to do to save the turtles, fishermen in Bantul regency, Yogyakarta province, have established the Bantul Turtle Conservation Forum (FKPB) to save the turtle in the area.

Saving the turtle in the area is being taken seriously, especially since numbers have dwindled over the years. At Samas beach, for example, only several turtles come ashore each night.

Rudjito, chairman of the FKPB, said that the forum had built a three-tank hatchery on Samas Beach. Fishermen also occasionally hold ceremonies to release newly hatched turtles into the sea.

"We often ask Samas visitors and tourists to release the infant turtles with us during the ceremonies to promote people's awareness about the turtle," said Rudjito.

The ceremonies also make people realize that the beach is not merely a place for prostitution or drunkenness, he said.