Earth Advocates Presents Evidence to Bali Police Chiefs leads to closure of Major Sea Turtle Slaughter house, 130 freed !

Only a few hours following the Earth Advocates Tuesday July 3, 2001 presentation of video taped evidence concerning the existing illegal Turtle Trade, the Chief of Police of Bali, General I Wayan Ardjana and his staff, acted expediently in making a massive police bust. After receiving the two hour tape, from Robin Marinos of Earth Advocates, which revealed extensive lawbreaking evidence by many major Turtle dealers, the police immediately and responsibly staked out the two prevalent and recently taped lawbreaking operations. The Sanur, Gang Penyu 5, Turtle slaughter grounds, operated by the Kodi family, where 130 dehydrated and brutalized Green Sea Turtles were rescued and freed from their misery. The second place, a so called eco-tourisum 'Turtle Park' (Taman Penyu), run by the demented Serangan Island village head, Wayan Raga, was stacked out, where 137 Sea Turtles were being held or imprisoned in a cemented house floor.

Balinese Chief of Police, I Wayan Arjana (right), and staff, attentively view the evidence presented by Robin Marinos and Joan Leahy (in Foreground) of Earth Advocates on July 3, 2001, hours before the major and historic police crackdown on the Sea Turtle Trade.

This is the first time in Bali that such a major undertaking to stop the Turtle Trade was made by the authorities under of lead of the commendable Chief of Police, who has promised to stamp out this illegal trade once and for all. One can expect more busts to come as the Earth Advocates evidence directly implicates numerous major dealers still at bay.

This is the second major police bust concerning the Sea Turtle Trade in Bali within a year, both were triggered by evidence released from Earth Advocates. The first took place after Earth Advocates and Bapedalda (Governors Environmental Impact Staff) prepared a report and recommendation to the Governors office that law enforcement action be taken against the Turtle Traders. This led to the Governors executive order for a coordinated action, which led to the first and only arrests and convictions of players involved in the Sea Turtle trade.

This weeks police action may prove to be the beginning of the end. Atleast this is the hope of Earth Advocates, which have been the most active and effective environmental organization in confronting the Sea Turtle trade in Bali and Indonesia, during their self financed 4 year campaign. "Despite being the smallest and least recognized organization tackling the Indonesian Turtle Trade, the Earth Advocates have proven to be the most effective in making big strides forward and providing the most convincing evidence and arguments to authorities, as the record shows", admits Robin Marinos.

Earth Advocates support the current Governor in his efforts to put an rapid end to the Sea Turtle Trade. And commend the efforts of those authorities who attended the presentation and were instrumental in making the latest action a success. A victory for the authorities and law enforcement, the governors office, the environment and conservation groups, the Sea turtles and such protected species, Balinese religious truth, Indonesia and its sustainable future, and the whole world.

Earth Advocates recommend that all those who support these actions, send congratulatory messages to the Governors office and the Chief of Police Bali in a show of appreciation and support:

Honorable Governor Dewa Made Beratha
Jl. Veteran
Denpasar, Bali
Indonesia