In the early 2000s, the tropical paradise of Bali was responsible for the highest number of endangered sea turtle killings globally, pushing the species towards extinction in Bali.
While most of the world considered the green sea turtles an endangered species the illegal turtle slaughtered in Bali was flourishing.
To save the turtles in Bali, the Indonesian government in 1999 passed a law making it illegal to catch, possess, or eat turtles.
As an old tradition, and it’s tough to change people’s way of life and even harder to enforce.
In Bali, officials had created a loophole by allowing hunters to catch 5,000 green sea turtles each year. But in practice, there was no limit – as the quota was never effectively enforced.
Agus Haryanta, the top enforcement officer for turtles in Bali, estimates that hunters slaughtered between 15,000 to 20,000 turtles each year.
Local hunters weren’t the only threat to the turtles. In the past 30 years, the beaches where turtles laid their eggs had become filled up with hotels and buildings serving the tourism influx, making it hard for the turtles to survive.
To save these majestic sea creatures and not lose a true treasure to a tropical paradise, the Bali government implemented a comprehensive strategy to save the turtles of Bali.
A part of this strategy was to open the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre, in Serangan Island in, Bali.
The Center was entirely run by passionate volunteers.
The center harnesses the potential of education, regenerative tourism, conservation, and research to give the endangered turtles one more chance on Serangan.
Supported by WWW, the Governor of Bali, the Major of Denpassa, the Provincial Natural Resource Conservation Agency, and the local community of Serangan.
The center was built on four fundamental pillars:
- Encourage the public not to consume turtle meat or purchase artifacts made from turtle shells. Provide alternatives for turtle rituals that do not involve killing or harming the turtles in any way.
- Offer job opportunities for communities that previously depended on the illegal turtle trade for their survival.
- Monitor the size and numbers of the turtles to ensure they are controlled and regulated.
- Act as a strict watchdog for the turtle trade, particularly in Serangan and across Bali in general.
If you want to learn more about the story of the Green Turtle in Baly then join the Save Bali Bike Tour.
An inspiring journey from the shores of Sanur Beach to the conservation, where the majestic turtles of Bali await to share their stories.
Let’s pedal towards a deeper understanding and a brighter future for Bali’s turtles.