Sea turtles are graceful saltwater reptiles, well adapted to life in their marine world. The green sea turtle is a medium to large brownish sea turtle with a radiating or mottled pattern of markings on the shell. The head is small in comparison to the other sea turtles and the biting edge of the lower jaw is serrated. Adult shell lengths range in size from 0.9-1.1 meters (36-43 inches) and weights average 90-137 kilograms (200-300 pounds). The greatest cause for the decline of green turtles has been commercial harvest for eggs and food, as well as their use for leather and jewelry.

The Indonesian Law according to Forestry Department signs attach 100 Million Rupiah fines to the capture of Sea Turtles. At the time, this fine equaled 45,000 U S Dollars, an amount unachievable in the lifetime of the average Indonesian. Not to forget the many international protection laws under the CITES doctrine and agreements as the UN CHARTER on highly migratory and straddling fish stocks to which Indonesia are a member state and, or even co-sponsors of. This particular sign appropriately placed along the highway entrance to the popular tourist destination of NUSA DUA, Bali, only two kilometers from Tangung and Benoa (the main harbor).

The Reality

The Tangung Green Sea Turtle Trade and Slaughter Ground, the most well-known such place in Indonesia reputably Processes and Slaughters 15 ,000 to 20,000 a year , despite the government set quota of 4,000. A Quota Number that itself exceeds the official Balinese ceremonial needs per year by four times according to the High-priest. The turtles are hunted and gathered from all over the Indonesian archipelago using numerous methods, including illegal fishing methods sometimes within officially protected marine parks. The Officially tolerated, Socially accepted, uncontrolled, unmonitored Turtle Trade is rampant throughout many parts of Indonesia, besides Bali, notably around Java, particularly along the south JAVA coast where no Turtles are spared.

The Religious Sacrifice

The official and otherwise general explanation and tolerance of this continuing gruesome practice has been shielded by the excuse of Balinese Religious Rites, even though the numbers don't ad up, as admitted by the High Priest. However by traditional Balinese belief Sea Turtles are in fact considered sacred and are only to be sacrificed for specific ceremonies during specific times a year only. Furthermore, this was done only in certain southern portions of Bali. Today the Green turtles are hunted, traded, slaughtered, and eaten everyday, all around Bali, including local and Asian tourist restaurants. One must wonder how long this Religious Sacrifice excuse will camouflage the continuing commercial exploitation of the Ancient and Sacred Mariner until total extinction.

Egg Gathering – A No-Win Situation.

The extinction of the Sea Turtles appears inevitable in the Indonesian archipelago since turtle egg gathering and trading is also rampant throughout Indonesia.

This creates a no-win situation for the the Sea Turtles. Usually no eggs are spared, and those that hatch have even less chance of surviving the next 30 years to reach maturity.

As one can see, not many turtle eggs are spared. These to be traded for consumption, as done throughout many areas of Indonesia, without any obvious legal intervention of authorities to control, monitor, and or, stop this trade. There do exist a few programs, private initiatives with support by segments of the government, that provide for egg protection and juvenile turtle breeding. However these few programs can not secure the survival of Great Sea Turtles since existing laws aren't being enforced in most areas of Indonesia.