The trade of products containing hawksbill turtle shells (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Indonesia remains high, with an estimated economic value of around IDR 5 billion. A recent investigation by PROFAUNA Indonesia revealed that illegal hawksbill products are still widely traded in Bali, Nias, North Sumatra, and also sold online.
The majority of hawksbill turtle products are sold online. From August to September 2019, the team conducted a survey on 11 online platforms to investigate the hawksbill trade. The eleven platforms surveyed were Facebook, Instagram, Shoppe, Tokopedia, Bukalapak, Carousell, Prelo, Kaskus, Belanjaqu, Blogspot, and websites. The results showed 1,574 advertisements and 199 accounts related to the online trade of hawksbill turtle products.
The products containing hawksbill turtle shells sold online include rings, bracelets, necklaces, and other accessories. A total of 29,326 items were offered online, with an estimated monetary value of around IDR 5 billion. The prices for products containing hawksbill turtles varied, ranging from IDR 15,000 for a simple ring to millions of rupiah for a hand fan.
Trade of Hawksbill Products in Bali and Nias
In addition to online trade, products containing hawksbill turtles are still sold in many stores in Bali and Nias. A survey conducted from June to September 2019 in Bali found that out of 353 stores visited, 25 stores were selling hawksbill turtle products.
The main location in Bali where hawksbill products are sold is Sukawati. Out of 22 stores visited, 13 stores were found selling hawksbill turtle products. In addition to Sukawati, hawksbill turtle products were also found in Denpasar, Dalung, and Ubud.
Meanwhile, the trade of hawksbill turtle products on Nias Island was found in 4 locations: Gunung Sitoli city, Bawomataluo village, Sorake, and Teluk Dalam. Of the 14 stores visited, all of them were selling products containing hawksbill turtles.
The hawksbill turtle products offered in Nias were more varied compared to those in Bali. In Nias, products such as waist bags, hairpins, guitar picks, card boxes, earrings, keychains, wristwatch straps, and miniatures of traditional Nias houses were found.
NGO Coalition Ready to Campaign Against Hawksbill Turtle Trade
The continued prevalence of the trade in products containing hawksbill turtle shells in Indonesia has prompted several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to launch a campaign to combat this trade. The campaign, with the slogan “Cool Without Scales,” will be led by a coalition of NGOs consisting of PROFAUNA Indonesia, the Indonesian Turtle Foundation (YPI), Too Rare to Wear from the USA, and the Turtle Foundation International from Germany.
“Besides the weak law enforcement factor, the reason for the rampant trade in hawksbill turtle products is the low awareness of the public, who continue to purchase these products. This reason is what has prompted the NGO coalition to launch a national campaign urging people to stop buying products containing hawksbill turtles,” said Rosek Nursahid, Head of PROFAUNA Indonesia.
The hawksbill turtle is a protected species by law. This means that capturing or trading them, whether alive or in parts such as their scales, is prohibited.
According to Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, the trade in protected animals such as turtles is punishable by 5 years in prison and a fine of IDR 100 million.
Source: PROFAUNA Indonesia
