Derawan Turtle Conservation Boosts Island’s Marine Tourism Appeal
- 08 Jul 2026 12:42 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- Deputy Governor Seno Aji said turtle conservation can become an additional attraction that strengthens Derawan Archipelago's tourism appeal.
- East Kalimantan and Berau officials released hatchling sea turtles on Derawan Island on 7 July 2026 as a symbol of commitment to marine ecosystem conservation.
RRI.CO.ID, Berau - A tangible step to protect the marine ecosystem was shown by officials from the East Kalimantan Provincial Administration and Berau Regency during the release of hatchling sea turtles on Derawan Island beach on Tuesday, 7 July 2026. The symbolic act underscored that turtle protection is no longer only a wildlife rescue effort but an essential condition for sustaining the region’s marine tourism appeal.
“Tourism in the Derawan Archipelago already excels thanks to infrastructure and beautiful natural assets, so adding another attractive feature, such as turtle conservation, can draw more visitors,” said East Kalimantan Deputy Governor, Seno Aji, in Samarinda on Wednesday, 8 July 2026.
In 2025, Derawan Island welcomed about 92,000 visitors, both domestic and international. Meanwhile, total visits to Berau Regency rose 40 percent to 782,266 tourists compared with the previous year.
During the 2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday (20–29 March), Derawan Island received 8,054 visitors who entered through two main access points. Of that total, 7,364 arrived via Sidayang Pier in Tanjung Batu, while 690 came through Sanggam Pier in Tanjung Redeb.
Overall, in January–April 2026 Berau Regency recorded 201,852 visitors, most of whom were drawn to marine destinations such as Derawan and Maratua.
Regarding turtle conservation, the Deputy Governor; together with Berau Deputy Regent, Gamalis; and other officials, released hatchlings on Derawan Beach on Tuesday. The release symbolized a shared commitment to protecting the marine ecosystem to support local tourism.
“Although Berau has many outstanding island destinations, such as Derawan, Kakaban, Sangalaki, and Maratua, development and service improvements must remain priorities. Environmental conservation is also essential to create a sustainable tourism ecosystem,” he said, as quoted by Antara.
He expressed appreciation to the Berau Administration and the Derawan community for continuing to protect turtle habitats and preserve coastal areas more broadly.
Tourism development must proceed with environmental preservation and marine ecosystem protection at the forefront. This approach should include conservation of turtle habitats as a local biodiversity asset and a key attraction for visitors.
“The success of tourism development must go hand in hand with environmental conservation. Tourism is also an important driver of the local economy, especially for Berau Regency,” he added. ***
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