The Hunting and Smuggling of Sea Turtles throughout the Archipelago of Indonesia is Illegal, an unethical form of stealing from other regions, and unacceptable by all National and International poaching standards and laws. Turtle Poaching is gradually and dangerously increasing the tensions and negative attitude of many Indonesian people toward Bali and the Balinese. Many regencies believe in the protection of Sea Turtles, adhering to laws, and currently despise the deceptive invasion of the Balinese Turtle Hunters and the continuing existence of Illegal Balinese Turtle trade.

Aerial photo showing the major turtle holding pens in Pudut Sari
and processing area in southwest Tanjung Benoa

This Turtle trade is not consistent with ‘Traditional and Cultural’ needs of the Balinese when historically the Sea Turtles bred, beached and were killed in Bali and on balinese shores! They were not hunted and stolen from everywhere else until recently after it became a lucrative business trade. The Southern Balinese Turtle killers have already slaughtered and destroyed the local population of Sea Turtles to Extinction and now the criminal dealers are doing the same all over Indonesia still using the old cliches!

The logical argument to such so called 'traditionalists' can be that since nature, 'god' in this sense, no longer provides Bali with Sea Turtles directly, so now he provides an abundance of other foods sources not provided in the past, but easily obtained in every local convenience store all over Bali. There is no evidence to support the Traditional poaching of turtles outside of southern Bali, not to forget that the killing of Turtles is not a Religious rite anyway! Hinduism clearly condemns the killing of such life forms for god, and strictly forbids slaughtering in Temples for personal consumption! All these acts seem to blacken the otherwise positive rites of Balinese Hinduism, and do not reflect pure Hinduism, as confirmed by many high priests!

The Continuing Sea Turtle Trade and Subsidized Tourist Turtle Parks as covers

We have discovered through our investigation and the accumulated information gathered by other sources that the Turtle Trade is going on unabated within Bali. Evidently many of the already reprimanded Dealers are still involved, as are some new dealers.
Using the front provided to them by the Local Government in allowing the existence of ‘Turtle Parks’ at Tanjung Benoa and Serangan Island for tourism, and 150 Million Rupiah of Subsidies provided to the local community to enhance Tourism, the trade has thrived. The two major locations are at southwest Tanjung Benoa, Deluwang Sari and Pudut Sari, where many Holding Pens are erected, Like Sea Turtle prisons, especially the 6 smaller pens designated to six of the Dealers (behind the larger pen of Pudut Sari). The Ketua Desa Adat, Anak Agung Asmara, among others, as the few Sea Turtle Dealers have used this generous government compromise deceivingly to continue and increase the Sea Turtle Trade. An alternative way to manipulate the good intentions of the Government, and rebuild a clandestine Mafia network contradictory to the good of Bali.

Government, Police involvement?

Due to the nature and vastness of this trade, one must assume that government authorities are not serious about dealing with this travesty of lawbreaking. Evidence pointing toward possible corruption (payoffs for protection) has been the rumor since two government led sting operations failed to materialize due to leaked information to the dealers. The last of which the Ketua Desa Adat, led a violent mob of dealers and others to the Turtle Holding Pens holding 257 Illegally held Green Sea Turtles. This Dictator and the mob proceeded by threatened to kill members of Conservation department (KSDA) and Profauna (a local NGO), also threatening to burn down buildings. Such violent and illegal acts to protect a few criminals and their criminal operations, which are hiding behind a government Eco-tourism program! Such criminal behavior does not promote the confidence of otherwise clean Investment firms or the all-important Tourism trade, if such behavior goes unpunished!

Earth Advocates as other organizations, has a strong dedication in the protection of All Sea Turtles and the healthy sustainable environment of Indonesia. Since1998, we initiated our Indonesian Sea Turtle Campaign which played a key role in the process that led to the successful passage of Green Sea Turtles protection Laws, 1999-2000. Working closely with Bapedala Bali, we were instrumental in the highly published and successful prosecution of the renowned Turtle trader Kingpin Wewe Zakaria. We also were instrumental in the successful closure of the Turtle Trade Operation in Tanjung Benoa, July 3, 2001, while working closely with the honorable former Chief of Police, General I Wayan Ardjana.

All of these events have Historical significance, relevant for the process of change toward progress, in adapting to environmental changes, and in applying the principles of Law Enforcement over lawlessness. These were major victories for the variety of individuals and institutions involved, for Bali, for Indonesia and the World. All these events brought tremendous praise and positive excitement from the International Community. For 6 months after the well-coordinated operation of July 3, 2001, there were No Sea Turtles being traded or Killed in Bali. This was viewed as a major success story for Bali, Indonesia, and the authorities involved, lifting morale to a new high. This also importantly increased the confidence and attraction of foreigners to visit Bali and Indonesia.

However, a few months after the Transfer of General Ardjana from Bali, Turtle meat was back the market. This combined by the allowance of the so called “Turtle Parks“, provided for a new situation, a perfect front which has moved the major trade further behind the dark side of Tanjung Benoa, using the official holding pens, illegal holding pens, and hidden storage houses along the Deluwang Sari area The trade is in full production again. Those previously involved and new individuals are dealing despite warnings from the government. The actions of the few have totally destroyed all the successes of the past allowing for continuing negative national and international publicity again!

Photo taken May 2005 of Slaughter house across the bay of Pudut Sari, evidence of the continuing trade.

As long as Illegal operations like the Turtle Trade continue, how will Bali ever gain the confidence it needs to increase Tourism and to demonstrate a view that Law Enforcement exists as it should, for the protection and safety of all. Law Enforcement must be applied to demonstrate that Bali is a serious, safe and clean place to visit.

We believe that considering the negative spin-off of the Bali Bombing, the threat of Terrorism and such realities have totally consumed the press, and stamped Bali as unsafe and such. This as well as the Illegal Turtle Trade and added negative publicity can only destroy any chances of recovery. Bali and its image are dying for some good international recognition regarding protection and safety related issues.

We believe another well-orchestrated Law Enforcement sting operation against this Sea Turtle Trade Mafia must be done again. If successfully and correctly completed and promoted, foreigners will gain confidence and trust visiting Bali. Bali needs good actions of Law Enforcement to gain good publicity and international consumer confidence, especially in the tourist industry!

During 2005 and 2006, there have been numerous busts of boats carrying Turtles to Bali, resulting the seizure and eventual release of the Turtles, and the jailing and prosecution of the poor boatmen transporting the turtles. Normally these busts are made by the navy of coast guard outside Bali. Also the kingpin and main dealers in Bali and elsewhere are not prosecuted. This must change if the the legal system and law enforcement officials are to gain truth and credibility. It unbelievable to most westerners and conformists that one can openly trade turtles and turtle parts as ornaments when they are Illegal as the Photo below demonstrates.

This Photo was taken at Serangan Island subsidized Turtle Park, where the Illegal dirty work is done!

We are offering our services to work in conjunction with the Governors office, the Chief of Police, and other trustworthy authorities to help provide support and evidence to totally stop this Sea Turtle Trade. Once done correctly, promote these legal actions as a means to gain confidence from the International Community about the security and law Enforcement principles of Bali, thus resulting in the enhancement of Tourism. Bali needs good press now and definitely not the bad energy and press the Turtle trade is providing for Bali!