Green Sea Turtle Hatchlings Released at Bangka Beach

The Bangka Belitung Islands Police and South Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) released 400 green sea turtle hatchlings at a beach in Ketawai Island, Central Bangka regency, to help the preservation of marine ecosystem.

“Today, we released 400 hatchlings at the beach in Bangka Island Outdoor, or BIO, area [owned by state-owned mining company] PT Timah,” director of water police at Bangka Belitung Islands Police Grand Commissioner Agus Tri Waluyo said on Friday, August 5, as reported by Antara.

According to him, the 400 hatchlings were from 2,287 eggs seized by the police which were later naturally hatched at the BIO beach.

Representative from South Sumatra BKSDA Shabiliani Mareti said from all of the eggs, only 15 percent (400) of them had successfully hatched naturally.

The BKSDA official reminded that the role of sea turtles is important for the preservation of the ocean and urged the public to collectively take part in protecting the animal.

“Sea turtles are important to keep [the population of] seaweed and seagrass balanced. When sea turtles go extinct, there would be no seaweed, and other sea animals would also go extinct,” Mareti explained.

BKSDA said more partners are needed who will support the conservation efforts made by authorities.

“We need more partners like PT Timah and the water police in conservation works – in which all citizens can also take part,” Mareti concluded.