YKAN-Coral Triangle Safeguards Sea Turtles in Derawan Islands

RRI.CO.ID, Berau – A multinational partnership across the Coral Triangle is harnessing drone technology and local expertise to shield endangered sea turtles in Indonesia's Derawan Islands in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, from existential threats. This collaboration ensures resilient coastal ecosystems stay protected amid growing environmental pressures.

Indonesian Nature Conservation Foundation (YKAN) is leading protections for sea turtles in the Derawan Islands and nearby waters alongside six Coral Triangle countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and the Solomon Islands. The joint push underscores a shared commitment to marine biodiversity.

"In supporting sea turtle conservation efforts in the Derawan Islands, Berau Regency, we are utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology in addition to involving local residents," said YKAN Senior Marine Protection Manager, Yusuf Fajariyanto, in Berau on Monday, February 23, 2026.

He explained that October 2025 saw UAV-based aerial surveys mapping turtle distribution, populations, and habitats. Data analysis employed the Sea Turtle Nesting Beach Indicator Tools, with UAVs delivering high-resolution spatial insights efficiently across expansive, hard-to-reach areas.

As reported by Antara, the integration of technological advancements with community-based field monitoring creates a unified strategy. This serves as the informational foundation for the action plan of the Derawan Small Islands and Coastal Conservation Area (KKP3K).

"Sea turtle conservation is a long-term endeavor. When the community, government, and development partners work together, we are not just protecting turtles, we are safeguarding the future of coastal ecosystems for generations to come" said Yusuf.

Support extends from Germany's Federal Environment Ministry, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) via the International Climate Initiative.

Pontianak Marine Management Agency Head, Syarif Iwan Taruna Alkadrie, highlighted ironclad safeguards. "Sea turtle protection is extremely robust at both national and international levels. Therefore, these endangered animals must not be captured, traded, or utilized in any form whatsoever."

"At the national level, all sea turtle species are fully protected under Government Regulation Number 7/1999 and further strengthened by the Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Number 66 of 2025," added Syarif.

With CITES Appendix I and IUCN Red List status signaling peril, such collaborations are vital. "Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic nation, with more than 17,500 islands and marine areas that are home to global biodiversity, including sea turtles. Of the seven sea turtle species in the world, six are found in Indonesian waters," he concluded. ***