Coincidentally, I walked through the fish seller along jl. Peta before Muara Real Estate (nearby Primarasa). It was quite interesting for me to see what they were selling there, but suddenly, I stop by unusual movement from one 'fish' inside plastic bag. Look deeply, it was not a fish, but a green turtle. Trying to collect more information about it, the seller told me that it was a freshwater turtle. He sold the green turtle 35.000,- per each.
I can't believe my self seeing the green turtle hatchlings swim frenzy inside of the plastic bag.
Bandung is far from coastal line, so where does it come from? It might be from turtle hatchery nearby. The nearest one is at Pangumbahan, Sukabumi or P. Pramuka, Thousand Island.
Green turtle protects by Government Regulation No. 7 year 1999, National Act No. 5 year 1999 and states as endangered species by IUCN 2004.
In my place, Tanjung Pinang, Riau Archipelago, turtle's eggs are sold along jl. Pos to jl.Pelantar II freely. Tourists use to be taken to this area and be offered to try the turtle eggs if they want.
The number of seller never been reduced, and no legal action been conducted to reduce them.
How about in other isolated islands such as Tambelan, Anambas, Natuna Islands and any other Islands in Indonesia? Who will control them. As an information, people still consume, collect and sell turtle eggs there.
What should we do as people who concern about their existence?
Do we just watch it? To whom we have to report?
Do you have any idea?
