Kurma Asih turtle conservation group in Perancak, Jembrana, is trying to find as many as turtle eggs as possible. They often searched the eggs at night and buy the eggs from the people. Usually one egg cost 1,500 rupiah. Anom, a member of the group said “we conduct these steps to conserve the turtle because its number is decreasing from time to time. Guarding the natural resources is our responsibility.”
The serious steps done by the group, they succeeded in hatching the turtle egg in captivity. “We released 2,000 newborn turtles or ‘tukik’ into the ocean. They spent several days in captivity in order to prepare the turtle before they released to the sea,” added Anom. The Kurma Asih group was established in 1997. The group was set up based on the worrying sight of turtle hunt in the area.
In 1980’s, the fishermen in Perancak also hunted turtles using spears and often traded in the market. The fishermen hunted turtles because it was more expensive than fish.
Then turtles were very rare in the sea so the people in Perancak decided to establish he conservation group. The group cooperated with other NGO and the government especially the Marine and Fishery Department.
In 2006, Kurma Asih received 200 meter square of land in perancak by the government for the turtle captivity. Anom explained that the group searched the egg on the beach in order to prevent it from being stolen. Usually, the turtles go to the beach at night to lay their eggs.
The eggs will be hatched in captivity. The egg placed in the sand for two months and after they hatch, the newborn will be placed in captivity for one month before being released to the sea. Anom said “we didn’t receive any economics benefit from these activities but we are very satisfied because successfully increasing the number of turtles.”
In order to support the conservation, the group had asked 40 million rupiah from the government but the government only gave 20 million rupiah. The number increased from last year which was only 15 million rupiah. There is great hope that in the future the government will pay more attention in the conservation efforts.
News by International Bali Post
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