Yayasan Penyu Indonesia is dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their habitats. Our mission is to prevent poaching and illegal trade, safeguard nesting beaches from overdevelopment and pollution, and promote sustainable practices that support marine biodiversity.
Through research, education, and community engagement, we strive to ensure a future where sea turtles can thrive in their natural environment. Together, we can make a difference in preserving these ancient ocean creatures.
A future where turtles and their habitats are sustainably protected, thriving, and safe from the threats of extinction and environmental destruction.
To contribute to turtle conservation in our project areas by collaborating with local communities, fostering a future where both turtles and humans can thrive together.
Yayasan Penyu Indonesia (YPI) traces its roots back to 2000 when the Turtle Foundation first initiated its sea turtle conservation efforts in Indonesia.
By 2017, numerous initiatives had been carried out to support sea turtle conservation.
In 2013, we collaborated with PROFAUNA to launch a public awareness campaign and distribute 5,000 educational brochures. In 2014, we conducted research with universities, presenting our findings at the 35th Annual Conference of the International Sea Turtle Society. In 2016, we organized a workshop on alternative livelihoods that do not exploit sea turtles. By 2017, our education programs had reached more than 1,400 participants.
The journey of sea turtle conservation efforts in Indonesia reached a significant milestone on June 27, 2018 when Yayasan Penyu Indonesia (YPI) was officially established. This marked a commitment, deep concern, and shared dedication of the founders to strengthening sea turtle protection in Indonesia and ensuring a sustainable future for these endangered species.
The widespread sale of jewelry made from sea turtle shells prompted YPI to launch a campaign against these products. Through the #KerenTanpaSisik campaign, featuring our mascot Kimi, we exposed the cruelty behind the production of turtle shell jewelry and raised awareness about the importance of protecting sea turtles.
In December 2020, we signed a contract with the Ministry of Marine Affairs in Jakarta, officially securing YPI’s legal mandate to protect sea turtles on Sambit and Blambangan Islands.
By mid-March, we had managed to deliver several presentations to a total of 750 students before the COVID-19 crisis put activities on hold. Meanwhile, the national #KerenTanpaSisik campaign successfully reached 20 million people on social media.
In June 2023, YPI participated in the Jakarta Sea Turtle Symposium, presenting insights on combating the illegal trade of turtle scutes, the negative impacts of headstarting, and the proven methods of sea turtle conservation implemented over the years.
YPI took part in the International Sea Turtle Symposium (ISTS) in Pattaya. Darwin Initiative support us to continue strengthening our organizational capacity.
Turtle Foundation, in collaboration with several local organizations, initiated a sea turtle conservation program on Sangalaki Island, Berau, East Kalimantan.
The program expanded to Bilang-bilangan and Mataha Islands, further strengthening conservation efforts in the region.
Our first environmental education programs for local communities were implemented in Batu Putih District and on Balikukup Island, Berau, East Kalimantan.
At the end of 2012, the turtle protection program in Sangalaki Island was managed directly by the East Kalimantan BKSDA.
In 2017, turtle protection on Bilang-bilangan Island and Mataha Island was continued by local organizations. So, we focused on getting to Belambangan Island and Sambit Island, where there is no turtle protection at all.
We successfully entered and started turtle protection on Belambangan Island. The environmental education approach is also taking place in Berau.
The turtle protection program on Sambit Island begins!
Since September 2020, we successfully consolidated our position and were allowed to protect turtle nests on Sambit Island.
At the end of 2021, we were unable to continue the turtle protection program on Belambangan and Sambit Islands due to unstable political and security conditions.
We continue to negotiate to be able to conduct protection activities on turtle nesting islands.
In line with that, we started an environmental education program in Maratua, the largest island in the Derawan Archipelago. On special days such as June 16, World Turtle Day, we hold public events to promote the protection of turtles and their habitats.
We also invite the public to actively conduct beach cleanup activities.
In early 2023, we successfully continued our conservation efforts on Bilang-Bilangan Island and Mataha Island by again working with local organizations.
We renovated the ranger station that was established in 2008 and improved the standards for data collection and overall turtle protection.
Our program in Berau was awarded 1st place in the Ecological Restoration category at the Celebrate Island national event organized by Conservatoire du littoral, PIM, and SMILO.
We collaborate with the DKP Provinsi and continue our sea turtle protection efforts on Bilang-Bilangan Island and Mataha Island, Kalimantan.
We started investigating and researching the condition of sea turtles in West Sumatra.
Sea turtle protection in Sipora Island, West Sumatra begins, in collaboration with BPSPL Padang and the Dakhsin Foundation India. We started tagging leatherback turtles on Sipora Island using metal tags and microchips (PIT – Passive Integrated Transponder tags).
For the first time, 2 satellite transmitters were deployed on Leatherback Turtles in Salaut Besar, and surveys were conducted in Simeulue.
Sea turtle protection in Salaut Besar Island and Sumeulue Island started! We implement the program with a local organization, Ecosystem Impact. On Sipora island, we renovated an elementary school in Matuptuman Village that serves as a learning center for the children there.
On Simeulue Island, we collaborated with the local group MAFAL (Mameduli Fenu Along) to strengthen sea turtle protection patrol activities.
At the end of the year, we signed a leatherback turtle protection resolution at the inauguration of EIOLA (Eastern Indian Ocean Leatherback Alliance) and successfully installed two satellite transmitters on leatherback turtles.
While the sea turtle protection program on Sipora Island, Simeulue Island and the Salaut Besar Island continues, we also started sea turtle protection activities in a new location on Nias Island.
On Simeulue Island, we are strengthening cooperation for patrol activities with local groups MAFEDAM (Mameduli Fenu Lhok Dalam), MAFTRIDES (Mameduli Fenu Tiga Desa), MAFELA (Mameduli Fenu Alafan).
We identified a high level trade of sea turtle-based products in the local market in Banggai region. So we decided to implement a program that focused on education and community empowerment to find solutions that could support the protection of sea turtles. To strengthen this effort, we partnered with AlTo (Tompotika Conservation Alliance).
The highlight of our sea turtle protection program in Banggai was holding Turtle Week with local partners.
In 2023, we are organizing another Turtle Week to foster public awareness of sea turtle protection and increase environmental awareness in general. The program was completed in 2023.
