Twenty One Smuggled Green Turtles Released in Bali to Boost Ecosystem
- 09 Jul 2026 21:20 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- Twenty one green turtles (Chelonia mydas) were released back into the wild as part of efforts to restore Bali’s coastal ecosystems and protect marine biodiversity.
- The turtle release was part of an integrated conservation effort involving rescue, rehabilitation, health checks, and habitat restoration.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Efforts to restore balance to Bali’s coastal ecosystems received a boost with the release of 21 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) back into the wild. The return of this species, listed as threatened and included in Appendix I of CITES, is considered crucial for maintaining coral reef health and the ecological functions of the sea.
Director General of Marine Management at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, Koswara, said the release is part of an integrated response that included rescue and rehabilitation. The ministry carried out the measures to return the protected animals to their natural habitat and preserve marine ecosystems.
“The ministry will continue to strengthen surveillance and collaboration to close gaps in the illegal trade of protected aquatic species,” said Koswara in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
As reported by Antara, the 21 turtles were earlier secured by the Bali Police Water and Air Directorate of Pegametan Beach, Sumberkima Village, Buleleng Regency. The animals were seized on June 10, 2026, during an investigation into an alleged smuggling case.
During the operation, police arrested a 67-year-old man identified by the initials KS, who is suspected of storing the turtles prior to their sale. Investigators have also named two other suspects as wanted persons (DPO), suspected of acting as a supplier from Madura and a purchaser intending to resell the turtles.
After seizure, all turtles were evacuated to the Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) for quarantine, observation, and veterinary health checks. Once cleared as healthy based on technical recommendations, the turtles were released at Serangan Beach, South Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
Head of the Denpasar Marine Management Center, Getreda, said all handling processes prioritized conservation principles. He added that restoring the turtles’ physical condition was a priority so they can resume their ecological role in maintaining marine ecosystem balance.
Green turtles are protected under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Decree No. 66 of 2025 on Protected Fish Species.
Internationally, the species is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which prohibits all forms of international commercial trade. Consequently, any unauthorized capture, transport, trade, or use of green turtles constitutes a legal violation. ***
News Recomendation
Loading latest news.....