PETITION TO STOP THE ILLEGAL TRADE OF SEA TURTLE IN SUKABUMI

[Guest guest]

11 September 2006

 

 

 

SUPPORT US TO STOP THE ILLEGAL TRADE OF SEA TURTLE IN SUKABUMI

 

 

 

Sea turtles are protected by the law in Indonesia, yet their eggs are

continuously commercially harvested, breaching the rules of protection of these

graceful animals.

 

 

 

There are several turtle nesting sites in the coastal areas of Java island, but

the one that is much visited by green turtles (Chelonia mydas) to lay eggs is

Pangumbahan beach in Sukabumi regency.

 

 

 

Instead of protecting the beach, the local authorities lease the nesting areas

to commercial operators to harvest the turtle eggs. The joint venture between

the operators and the local authority under the local rural economic development

of Sukabumi regency, appeared to legalise the business of turtle egg harvesting.

 

 

 

Such commercial exploitation has been going on since 8th Feb 2000, when the

Local authority level II of Sukabumi, issued a local legislation no. 2 of 2000

concerning the taxation on commercial harvesting of swallow nests, turtle eggs

and sea grass. This legislation clearly contravenes the Indonesian state's

legislations protecting wildlife including sea turtles, which was governed by

legislation no. 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Natural Resources and

Ecosystem and no. 7 of 1999 concerning the preservation of Fauna and Flora.

 

 

 

Various appeals and petitions from the international and local communities were

sent to the Sukabumi local authority. Following LASA's campaign, the Home

Affairs Minister issued a ministerial decree (no. 92) on 29th April 2005, over

rulling the Sukabumi local authority's legislation.

 

 

 

Lembaga Advokasi Satwa (LASA) regards this to be the right decision taken by the

central government in protecting the green turtles in Indonesia, particularly in

their nesting sites in Sukabumi in view of their declining population. However,

in December 2005, the Sukabumi local authority issued another local legislation

no. 16, on the utilisation of turtle eggs for revenue. This legislation is

currently being evaluated by the Dept of Home Affairs.

 

 

 

In a joint collaboration between LASA, the Dept of Forestry, ProFauna Indonesia,

Cikanangka Wildlife Rescue centre, Sukabumi Discussion Forum, National

University of Indonesia on marine turtle study, University of Muhammadiyah

Sukabumi and the local community, a series of activities have been organised to

raise local awareness of the issues. First, a demonstration was staged on the

1st March 2006, coinciding with the Year Of The Turtle 2006, in the town centre

of Sukabumi. Next came collaboration with the Police of the Sukabumi Local

Resort in enforcing the law and confiscating turtle eggs from the traders in

Sukabumi town

 

 

 

Following a lengthy investigation on 14th July 2006, 3 persons were convicted of

harvesting and trading turtle eggs. These were Tarwan, Nenen and H. Adang

Gunawan. H. Adang Gunawan is a businessman who distributes turtle eggs in

Sukabumi and many other areas.

 

 

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

 

 

 

Send a protest letter to the following authorities. Please urge them to protect

the sea turtle population in Indonesia and to take action to stop the trade or

the harvesting of turtle eggs in Sukabumi. Please demand that the perpetrators

be punished accordingly.

 

 

 

Please send your letter to:

 

 

 

1.. Kepala Kejaksaan Negeri Kota Sukabumi. (District Prosecutor of Sukabumi

town)

Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan No. 6 Kota Sukabumi - Indonesia

 

 

 

2.. Ketua Pengadilan Negeri Kota Sukabumi. (The Head of the District Court,

Sukabumi)

Jl. Bhayangkara No. 103, Kota Sukabumi - Indonesia

 

 

 

Copy to :

 

 

 

3.. Mahkamah Agung RI. (The Indonesian Supreme Court)

Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara No. 9-13, Jakarta Pusat - Indonesia

 

 

 

4.. Kejaksaan Agung RI (The Indonesian State Prosecutor)

Jl. Sultan Hasanudin No. 1 Kebayoran Baru- Jakarta Selatan - Indonesia

 

 

 

 

 

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Lembaga Advokasi Satwa (LASA) / Animal Advocacy Institute

Komplek Deplu Fatmawati

Jl. Cenderawasih V/7 Gandaria Selatan

Jakarta Selatan 12420 Indonesia

Phone/Fax : +62 21 7501557

Mobile : +62 812 810 1907

Email : lasa

Website : www.lasa.or.id

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