By: Veronica Louhenapessy (Fisheries Officer, WWF-Indonesia)

The awareness of coastal communities in the Pantar Straits SAP area of marine biota being protected is getting better. WWF-Indonesia had been involved several times by the community in turtle releases. Released turtles are turtles that are accidentally caught in fishermen's nets on the coast of the Pantar Strait SAP.

Within the last three months (December 2018 – February 2019), WWF-Indonesia was involved in three incidents of turtles being caught by fishermen's nets.

On 12 December 2019, WWF-Indonesia together with the Alor District Fisheries Extension Officer released 2 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) with carapace lengths of 45 cm and 43 cm.

"Actually three of them got into the net, but because one was big, they managed to tear the net and escape," said Mr. Lukas Afomai, a fisherman who accidentally caught the turtles. "I have kept this turtle for one week, but because I know that the turtle is protected, I decided to contact the Fisheries Extension Officer so we can release it together,". Then, the two turtles were released to the wild at Kadelang Beach.

Then on January 17 2019, WWF-Indonesia was contacted by Mr. Lukas Afomai and Mr. Simson who were the Pokmaswas of Pante Deere Village that a turtle had again become entangled in fishermen's nets on the coast of Kabola.

Mr. Simon Moulaka, a fisherman who accidentally caught the turtle, hid the turtle in the boat and covered it with coconut leaves so that other irresponsible people would not take it. The entangled turtle is a female green turtle (Chelonia mydas) with a carapace length of 70 cm.

“I know that turtles are protected, so I'm scared too. Incidentally, I met Mr. Lukas, so I asked for help to contact the authorities," said Mr. Simon. The turtle was finally released on Mali Beach with the staff  DKP of East Nusa Tenggara Province and DKP of Alor Regency.

On February 8 2019, it was again reported that a turtle was entangled in fishing nets on the Kabola coast. Zakarias Djahatang, a fisherman who accidentally caught a turtle reported the incident to the Kabola Village Head and the Kabola Pokmaswas. The turtle that was entangled was the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), female, and had a carapace length of 54 cm. Together with the Head of the Kabola Village, Alor Regency POSAL Commander, Pokmaswas Kabola, and local residents, the turtle was released on Mali Beach.

Critically endangered and protected animals such as sharks, turtles,  dolphins, and even seabirds, have the potential to be caught or accidentally caught. Animals caught by accident are also known as bycatch (bycatch). Bycatch is one of the issues that is quite a hindrance to sustainable fisheries management in Indonesia.

Awareness of fishermen to release bycatch of protected marine animals and handling Appropriately for bycatch animals can save animal populations and ecosystem sustainability.

Proper handling of fishermen, for example, is ensuring that before being returned to the sea make sure the turtles are in a healthy condition. Check by touching some sensitive parts of the turtle such as eyes and tail. See if there is a reaction after being touched, for example, moving the tail or blinking. You can also see the reaction of the turtle's front fins (legs), which when lifted will move their legs. Guidelines for turtle bycatch handling can be accessed  here.

The Lurah and Pokmaswas Kabola invited WWF-Indonesia, TNI-AL, and also the DKP of Alor Regency to socialize protected marine biota such as turtles, dugongs, whales, sharks and others so that more and more people are aware of the importance of preserving these animals.< br />

This initiative carried out by coastal communities also supports the preservation of protected marine biota. Highest appreciation for them!