The world-class surfing competition Nias-Pro takes place for a week, from June 21–28, 2025. Hundreds of surfers from 12 countries gathered at Sorake Beach, Luahagundre Maniamolo, South Nias Regency, North Sumatra, to take part in the competition. The event became even more festive with the crowds of visitors who came to watch the surfers and enjoy the booths set up around the venue.
Among the booths offering traditional Nias food, drinks, and souvenirs, Yayasan Penyu Indonesia opened a space for visitors to learn about sea turtles and it’s conservation efforts. There are four species of sea turtles in Nias: the leatherback turtle, the olive ridley turtle, the hawksbill turtle, and the green turtle. However, based on our data over the past six months, only the leatherback and olive ridley turtles have been found coming ashore to lay eggs.
Sea turtles are rare animals facing the threat of extinction, even though they are crucial for ecological balance. Their protection is guaranteed by law, making continuous public outreach on conservation efforts essential. Many people still do not understand the importance of protecting sea turtles and their habitats.
Turtle meat and eggs are still consumed, their shells are taken for jewelry or accessories, and turtles are still traded illegally in Nias.Yayasan Penyu Indonesia uses interactive educational approaches for children to raise awareness and foster care for turtle conservation from an early age.
Children gathered at the foundation’s booth, attracted by educational games they could play, such as puzzles, matching cards or memory games, and “straws & jellyfish,” a board game similar to snakes and ladders, adapted to help them understand threats, protection, and the life cycle of turtles.
Around 60 children also took part in a coloring competition organized by Yayasan Penyu Indonesia at Nias-Pro 2025, aiming to familiarize them further with turtles and their habitats. Winners of the coloring contest—divided into two categories, children and pre-teens—were announced on the main stage during the turtle education session.
On this occasion, Ignatius Putu Chanda (Managing Director Yayasan Penyu Indonesia), Yuliana Fitri Syamsuni (Deputy Director of Yayasan Penyu Indonesia), and Yaaro Halawa (YPI Program Coordinator in Nias) also attended to deliver a public outreach session on turtle conservation in Nias.
The collaboration between the South Nias Regency Government, the organizers of Nias-Pro 2025, and Yayasan Penyu Indonesia is expected to continue in order to strengthen conservation efforts for natural resources, especially the beaches and seas that are home to sea turtles and one of Nias’ main attractions.
Photo: WSL/Tim Hain
