By: Natalia Trita Agnika

www.wwf.or.id/turtlewarrior

Animal migration is a remarkable phenomenon that occurs in nature. They travel thousands of kilometers and even cross different continents. They migrate in search of abundant food, to breed, or because of seasonal changes. Unlike humans who have a nationality, these migratory animals are free to cross geographical and political boundaries between nations. But because they are not juridically owned by any one country, their conservation is problematic.

For this reason, the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment produced the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wildlife, later known as the Bonn Convention. The convention, which has been in force since 1983, recognizes that countries must be the protectors of migratory wildlife in their legal territories. (source: http://www.cms.int/en/node/3916 )

Indonesian waters are the most important sea turtle migration route at the junction of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Indonesia is home to six of the world's seven sea turtle species, including the largest and rarest, the leatherback sea turtle (Dermocelys coriacea). Turtles can be found in almost all Indonesian waters, as well as nesting sites.

The challenges that sea turtles face when migrating are diverse. These include pollution in the ocean, climate change, and irresponsible exploitation. A case in point, after migrating, sea turtles cannot land on the beach to lay their eggs because the beach where they used to hatch is now experiencing abrasion. Based on WWF-Indonesia's research, the migration of leatherback turtles that lay their eggs on the North Coast of West Papua (Abun) shows that some of these endangered animals also migrate to the waters of Kei Kecil to chase their prey (giant jellyfish). But along the way, the leatherback turtle faces many threats, such as forest clearing around the nesting beach area as well as fishing activities that have the impact of bycatch that inadvertently catches the leatherback turtle.

As part of its efforts to protect migrating turtles, WWF-Indonesia's Marine Program uses satellite monitoring technology (satellite tagging) to study turtle habitats and stopover sites. Important information about these locations and pathways will be useful for the development of conservation work strategies, including for the management of conservation areas or protected areas.

Protecting sea turtles is not only the responsibility of the state or conservation organizations. As a citizen living in a country with a turtle migration route, you can contribute to saving these marine ambassadors by becoming a Turtle Warrior. Visit www.wwf.or.id/turtlewarrior now. Let's protect sea turtles so that these "living fossils" can be preserved.