On Tuesday, October 30, SMP Negeri 1 Tanjung Redeb was the venue for the educational session titled “Turtles of Berau.” As part of the educational initiative by the Indonesian Turtle Foundation (YPI), the students were invited to discuss and “examine” whether Berau is a turtle-friendly district.
Some students honestly mentioned that getting turtle eggs isn’t a difficult task. While it’s not exactly easy, turtle eggs are still offered at homes by regular turtle egg vendors. There was no specific reason given by these students for having consumed turtle eggs, and they shared that the eggs don’t have a special taste that would make someone addicted.
The students of SMP Negeri 1 Tanjung Redeb attentively participated in the conservation education about turtles in Berau.
Sharing information about turtles like this needs to be significantly increased, especially for the younger generation of Berau, as they will fill important positions in the district in the future. The hope is that, in the future, they will contribute to the preservation of turtles, as healthy turtles will impact the sustainability of marine ecosystems. For coastal communities, the health of the sea is a key factor in the prosperity of the people.
