CENTRAL BANGKA -- PT Timah Tbk together with the Directorate of Marine Police of the Bangka Belitung Police, the South Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Center, and the Alobi Foundation released as many as 400 green hatchlings on Ketawai Island, Central Bangka Regency, Thursday (4/8/2022).
The release of the hatchlings was also attended by the Director of the Directorate of Water Police of the Bangka Belitung Police, Agus Tri Waluyo, Head of the K3LH Division of PT Timah Tbk Adam Darmawan, Head of Service, Evaluation and Reporting, functional official controlling forest ecosystems at the South Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Center Shabiliani Mareti, Manager Alobi Foundation, Endy Yusuf and others.
Previously, Dit Pol Airud Babel confiscated 2,287 turtle eggs from one of the fishermen in Tanjung Bonded Waters. After that, thousands of turtle eggs were hatched naturally in the Bangka Island Outdoor (BIO) Coastal Area managed by PT Timah Tbk. Exactly 54 days later the turtle eggs hatched and now 400 hatchlings have come out of the nest.
Director of the Directorate of Water Police of the Bangka Belitung Police, Agus Tri Waluyo, said that his party arrested the perpetrators who took the turtle eggs in the Tanjung Berika Coastal Area, Lubuk Besar District, Central Bangka Regency. Where the perpetrator is currently undergoing legal proceedings.
He said that turtles are one of the protected animals, so he appealed to the public not to catch or trade turtles.
"From the catch, we are collaborating with the South Sumatra BKSDA, Alobi and PT Timah Tbk who support the hatchery so that today we can release these hatchlings. We hope that the community can protect the hatchlings of endangered endangered species together," he said.
Meanwhile, Head of Services, Evaluation and Reporting, a functional official controlling forest ecosystems at the South Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Center, Shabiliani Mareti, said that of the 2,287 eggs that were hatched naturally, only 15 percent or 400 eggs hatched.
He said that there are six types of turtles that are protected by law, one of which is the green turtle. Turtles have many benefits including for the balance of the ecosystem in the sea.
"This turtle is very important, balancing seaweed and seagrass. When turtles become extinct, there will be no seaweed. It will cause marine wildlife to become extinct. Today's activity is also in the context of National Nature Conservation Day," he said.
He also appreciated PT Timah Tbk for being involved in animal conservation efforts. He hoped that this synergy could continue.
"We really appreciate all those who have supported conservation efforts, this cannot be done by the KLHK BKSDA alone. We need partners such as PT Timah Tbk and Polairud and PPS aAobi in conservation activities. Conservation can be done by all Indonesian people," he said,
Similarly, Alobi PPS Manager Endy Yusuf said that the turtles were released on Ketawai Island because it is a turtle habitat and has abundant natural food reserves such as seagrass, so this is very suitable.
"After 54 days the turtle eggs confiscated by Polairud hatched and today they can be released. The release was carried out on Ketawai Island because it is suitable for the turtle habitat," he said.
