August 8, 2025 | 12:03 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Forestry said it's working with various agencies to prevent illegal trade of sea turtles in Bali. The popular tourist destination is one of the places most vulnerable to trades of the protected species' meat and eggs. Bali also makes up a significant market for sea turtle meat and egg consumption.
The Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation at the Ministry of Forestry, Satyawan Pudyatmoko, said the ministry has been partnering with the Denpasar Coastal and Marine Resources Management Agency of the Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Bali Province. The ministry also collaborates with the police and military (TNI), which aims at "monitoring, regulating, and enforcing the law against illegal sea turtle trade," he told Tempo on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) officers are also stationed at every port and district in Bali, and they are instructed to regularly patrol areas susceptible to smuggler entry. According to Satyawan, the Ministry of Forestry has formed 31 sea turtle conservation groups, spread across Bali beaches. "These groups also act as informants for suspected sea turtle trade," he mentioned, adding that the ministry also conducted training for members of the groups.
From 2019 to 2025, Satyawan reported that there have been 20 sweeping operations against illegal wildlife markets in Bali. Thus far, 354 sea turtles have been rescued to be released back into their natural habitat.
Satyawan revealed that in early May, the Ministry of Forestry signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian E-Commerce Association (idEA) regarding the reinforcement of prevention and monitoring of the illegal circulation of protected plants and wildlife through electronic systems. This memorandum was created for the purpose of biodiversity conservation.
"In general, this memorandum includes cooperation in enhancing human resource capacity and exchanging data and information related to monitoring, circulation, shipping, promotion, and advertisement related to the illegal circulation of protected plants and wildlife," Satyawan explained.
This collaboration encompasses monitoring, providing, and utilizing data and information related to the accounts of traders and the legality of protected plants and wildlife being traded. It also covers measures against illegal circulation, including inspections, takedowns, temporary freezes, blocking, and legal processes.
Satyawan divulged several challenges in combating sea turtle smuggling, one of which is Indonesia's geographical conditions, consisting of thousands of islands with long coastlines. It requires significant resources for monitoring and supervision. "The beaches are one of the primary nesting points for sea turtles," he said.
In terms of logistics, smugglers use various methods to disguise the illegal items as authorized goods and utilize unofficial routes. "At official border checkpoints, the Ministry of Forestry continues to strengthen cooperation with the Customs and Excise Office and the Quarantine Agency to monitor the entry and exit of illegal wildlife," he stated.
The ministry official also cited challenges due to the complexity of the local, regional, and international smuggling syndicate for Indonesian sea turtles.
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