Utilizing natural resources, especially sea turtles, by local communities in the Kei Islands, Southeast Maluku Regency, is still a hot issue. Many communities do not fully understand or realize the importance of conservation and the long-term implications of these activities.

WF-Indonesia, in collaboration with the Southeast Maluku Fisheries Service, KCD Gugus Pulau VIII, and PSDKP Tual Base conducted a "Survey of Utilization Level & Biodiversity Inventory in Kei Kecil Island Park (TPK)" as an important step for the data collection stage related to the scale of utilization of sea turtles and other natural resources in the Kei Kecil Islands Small Island Park (TPK) area. The survey identifies utilization patterns, and inventories of marine species, and assesses community awareness of existing regulations and was conducted from 20-29 September 2024.

Data collection was conducted in nine ohoi (villages) including Ohoi Dertom, Ohoi Dertutu, Ohoi Somlain, Ohoi Ren, Ohoi Warbal, Ohoi Tanimbar Kei, Ohoi Ur Pulau, Ohoi Watngil, Ohoi Wab. Of all these villages, the average resident still recognizes that utilization still exists, but not as much as 10 years ago.

Tabob (leatherback turtle) is considered as a traditional equipment and must be offered, so it is rather difficult for the community to completely abandon [utilization]," he said.

He hopes that this survey can find a middle way to solve the problem of sea turtle utilization in the Kei Kecil Islands. In addition to custom, turtles are also considered a cheap and easily available source of animal protein, so if the community finds a turtle entangled in a net, they consider it a gift and distribute the turtle meat to all existing houses.

In addition to conducting surveys to ohoi, the WWF-Indonesia team also conducted marine surveys by diving to several points around the southwest of Kei Kecil Island. A total of 13 points have been plotted to see the diversity of fish species and coral reefs.

"Although on average the conditions in the waters at TPK Kei Kecil are quite good, but in some core zones such as in Ur Island need special attention because the coral reef area began to be covered by traces of coconut leaves, or traces of potash," said Naufal Dafa Athallah, Surveyor of WWF-Indonesia Coral and Fish Inventory Team.

During the data collection, the WWF-Indonesia team found several fish species, including napoleon, giant travelly (GT), eagle ray, emperor angle fish. Also, several coral reefs such as the genus Acropora, porites, pocilopora, stylopora, and others.

Yusuf Steven Buiswarin, fisheries section staff of KCD Gugus Pulau VIII really appreciated this survey. According to him, this data collection is very helpful for the development of marine conservation areas towards a better direction. "As well as re-educating the local community regarding the protection of ecosystems, especially sea turtles, which have become the identity of the Kei Islands region," he said.