Indonesian Government Rescues Over 1,200 Sea Turtle Eggs from Illegal Trade

RRI.CO.ID, Kalimantan - The Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) successfully secured 1,286 turtle eggs found in two different locations in Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan, in early August 2026. This rescue is one of the government's concrete steps in protecting the endangered sea turtle species from the threat of illegal trade.

The first discovery, consisting of 96 eggs, was found by personnel from the Army Border Security Task Force while patrolling the Temajuk area, a region directly bordering Malaysia. As for the other 1,190 eggs, they were secured by Indonesian Quarantine Agency officers at the Sintete port, not far from the first location.

Based on the press release received on August 11, 2026, the Quick Response Team from the Pontianak Marine Management Center, under the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, immediately took action. The team, along with veterinarians, conducted evacuation, data collection, and medical examinations to determine the next steps for handling the situation.

The Director General of Marine Management, Koswara, emphasized that the protection of turtles can only succeed thru inter-agency cooperation. According to him, the speed of response and adherence to procedures are determining factors so that every finding can be handled well for the preservation of the marine ecosystem.

The results of the examination by veterinarians from the Sealife conservation organization show that 96 eggs from Temajuk are from green turtles and still show signs of fertility. The eggs are now being incubated at the Pontianak Marine Management Office with the hope that they will hatch and return to the wild.

Different conditions were found in 1,190 eggs from Sintete, which were identified as coming from hawksbill and green turtles. Because they do not show signs of fertility, these eggs are not recommended for hatching and will be processed according to the applicable legal mechanisms.

The Head of the Pontianak Marine Management Center, Syarif Iwan Taruna Alkadrie, invites the public to help preserve sea turtles by not taking, trading, or transporting turtles or their eggs illegally. He urges the public to report to the authorities immediately if they find turtles, turtle eggs, or activities suspected of violating marine wildlife protection regulations.