Take Care Of The Sea Ecosystem, KKP Releases 500 Turtle Children In Banyuwangi

Photo: Doc. KKP

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is educating the importance of turtle conservation to school children in Banyuwangi. The activity, which was marked by the release of hatchlings in Bangsring waters, Banyuwangi together with First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo and the Solidarity Action Organization of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet Era (OASE KIM).

Director General of Marine Space Management Victor Gustaaf Manoppo explained that turtles are one of 18 types of protected / endangered marine biota that are prioritized for conservation.

Penyu masuk dalam Appendix I CITES, berarti perdagangan internasional turtle untuk tujuan komersial dilarang. Selain itu, sea turtles juga dilindungi berdasarkan Peraturan Pemerintah No.7 Tahun 1999 dan Surat Edaran Menteri Kelautan dan Perikanan Nomor 526 Tahun 2015 tentang Pelaksanaan Perlindungan Turtle, Egg, Bagian Badan dan/atau Produk Derurutnya untuk memperkuat perlindungannya, ujarnya seperti yang dilansir laman resmi, Minggu, 30 Juli.

According to Victor, given his full protected status, turtles should not be used at all from turtle eggs to adulthood. Turtle growth is very slow and takes decades to reach reproductive age.

In the release, the hatchlings released amounted to 500 types of lekang turtles (Lepidochelys olvacea) aged 4 to 30 days from Banyuwangi.

Penyu is also an indicator of marine health. The more turtles in the sea, the healthier the sea will be. For that, we must protect and preserve turtles for our marine health," he said.

On the same occasion, the Head of the Rejo Beach KUB, Pakis Village, Banyuwangi District, Banyuwangi Regency, Mohammad Muhyi, who participated in the release of the hatchlings, hoped that this would transmit public awareness to care about nature's sustainability.

"We are touched and proud that Mrs. Jokowi will release the hatchlings into nature. We hope that in the future the community can care more and be able to protect turtles by captivity turtles to be released back into nature," said Muhyi.

Meanwhile, KKP implements turtle conservation programs such as turtle monitoring and the provision of government assistance to turtle conservation community groups.

The National Action Plan (RAN) document for national scale turtle conservation is also stipulated through the Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries No. 65 of 2022 for the period 2022-2024. This RAN is a guideline and reference in turtle management in Indonesia.

Previously, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, emphasized his commitment to always ensure the sustainability of marine life that is protected and the sustainability of its population for the welfare of the nation and future generations.