2nd ASEAN Symposium and Workshop on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Click here

World’s first Trans-Boundary Marine Park between Sabah, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Introduction to the Turtle Island Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA)

History in the Development Of The Sabah - Philippines TIHPA

Management Objectives of the TIHPA

Institutional arrangements

Key Initiatives

Educational Goals Initiative Marked For Critical Funding

Research Objectives and Strategies

Economic Opportunities

Expected Deliverables

News Around the Region

Sharp decline in Turtle population

Turning to a Turtle Haven

2nd ASEAN Symposium and Workshop on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation

SESSION 1: Management and Conservation

ABSTRACTS

The Kai Islands are located between New Guinea and Australia, in the Maluku province of Indonesia (5°43'S, 132°50'E). Five species of sea turtles inhabit the grassbeds, coral reefs and rich waters of this archipelago: green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles. This paper shall present preliminary information on the intensive take of turtles inhabiting Kai waters. Our study area lies in southwestern Kai and encompasses the villages of: Ohoidertutu, Ohoiren, Ohoidertom, Madwaer and Somlain on Kai Kecil Island, and Ur, Warbal and Tanimbar Kai on those respective islands. The information presented is based on direct observation, the collection of data by fishermen hired by this project, and from interviews of village elders, village chiefs and fishermen from eight villages.

Data collected suggests the take of turtles in Kai is currently a serious problem requiring a range of solutions, and with an underlying need for community awareness. Turtles are killed whenever encountered throughout the archipelago, and are hunted near coral reefs, in grass beds and on nesting beaches throughout the islands with harpoons, treble hooks and nets (Suarez and Starbird, 1996). Many turtles are incidentally caught in gill and shark nets. Locals report that local sea turtle populations have declined dramatically. This is most likely due to many generations of intensive harvest throughout the archipelago, as turtles are utilized for sustenance, traditional feasts and to generate extra income for those who sell their shell, meat and eggs in the nearby city center of Tual. Leatherback turtles forage in the waters southwest of Kai Kecil Island seasonally and have been traditionally hunted with harpoons in the open sea for many generations. Information on the rituals, methods and location of this hunt will also be presented.