The Earth Advocates Sea Turtle Campaign is finally beginning to show positive results in protecting Sea Turtles. A number of major events were contributing factors leading to the current situation in which the Top Kingpin and the Turtle Trade organization are on trial in Bali. We will recount major events leading to the current situation.

June 12, 2000 -The first and most important factor was the Balinese Governors signing of Decree No. 243 issued on June 12, 2000, states that the trade of endangered and protected species, including the green turtle, is prohibited. The decree terminates the previous decree, No. 22/1990, which allowed up to 5,000 green turtles to be traded in Bali per year. A real shift in Balinese policy and a very bold decision by the governor.

Earth Advocates congratulating the honorable Governor of Bali, Pak Dewa Made Beratha after a meeting supporting his decision.

August 10, 2000 - Earth Advocates Ceremonial release attacked and disrupted by two major Sea Turtle Dealers. Read press release, 'Sea Turtle Release Ceremony 2000' for details. Official complaint was filed to the police by Mr. Marinos of Earth Advocates against the Turtle traders.

August 11, 2000 - Official meeting and complains were filed by Earth Advocates to the Conservation Enforcement Department (KSDA), and to the Environmental Impact Management Agency (BAPEDAL).

October 2, 2000 - The KSDA, in a joint operation with the police, harbor authority and prosecutors office intercept a turtle poacher ship. The first time such action had taken place in Bali, finally! The search conducted by the officers discover 93 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) held captive on the ship. It later turned out that the ship belonged to Widji Zakariah, who is also known as Wewe, a major Tanjung Benoa based turtle dealer. The confiscated turtles were to be held temporarily as states evidence in the massive holding pens of Wewe until another location could be found. Charges were to be filed against Wewe.

October 4, 2000 - KSDA authorities return to discover that Wewe had disposed of the state evidence. They only found 14 turtles, Wewe had sold and slaughtered the other 79 turtles being held as state evidence! He now could be charged of illegal poaching, transporting and trading of endangered and protected species, as well as obstructing justice. October end & Beginning November - Two more ships are confiscated by authorities, hundreds of Sea Turtles held and most eventually are released. Further charges are filed.

November 6, 2000 - Wewe organizes and finances a major 200 man threatening protest action against the Bali KSDA, WWF, and Governors offices. January¾ 26, 2001 - An angry mob burned down the police station in Tanjung Ben, distribution center for the turtle trade in Bali. The mob was protesting the detention of several turtle hunters who had been arrested a few days earlier for violating Sea Turtle Protection laws, Governmental Act No. 7/1999. It is believed that again Wewe and other top dealers were behind this protest action.

February 8, 2001- The trial of Wewe, Wig Zakariah, and Sea Turtle Trade begins in Bali. Although Mr. Marinos had offered to provide evidence consistent to the charges and offered to be wittiness at the trial, he was not summonsed. Earth Advocates hold more convincing photo and video evidence than any other investigators or organizations. April 5, 2001- The trial continues and is to be completed soon. Unfortunately, a compromise solution may be at hand. It seems that the WWF and others involved in this case are again allowing the quota system to take hold. They are talking about allowing the Slaughter of 5,000 Green Sea Turtles a year. For Earth Advocates that is 5,000 a year too much, and this brings us back to where we started 9 years earlier! How short sighted the WWF are? Why replace a quota with another quota, when the first quota was never honored!? We hope this doesn't happen and will seek grounds for appeal if it does happen or continue to fight until no Sea Turtles are taken!