Trade of souvenirs made from Hawksbill sea turtle’s shell is on the rise in Berau,

Trade of souvenirs made from Hawksbill sea turtle's shell is on the rise in Tanjung Redeb, Berau, East Kalimantan. PROFAUNA's minitoring in Sanggam Ajidilayas market found eight vendors candidly offer sea turtle shell-based souvenirs such as bracelets, rings, and pendants.

Accessories being sold for various price based on their size. Rings are worth IDR 5,000-10,000, bracelets are worth IDR 25,000-60,000, and pendants are sold for IDR 10,000-15,000.

After being 'clean' from this illicit practice for quite a while, sea turtle shell-based souvenirs are making their return to Ajidilayas market. The souvenirs supply comes from Derawan Island, Berau.

PROFAUNA urges concerning government bodies to take firm actions to curb sea turtle shell-based souvenirs before it goes out of control, as it violates our national law," said Bau Sandi, PROFAUNA's Campaign Officer.

All sea turtle species are protected by law, thus all kinds if trade of their body parts are prohibited. As stated in Law no.5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Living Natural Resource and Its Ecosystem, illegal wildlife traders are liable to 5 years of prison and IDR 100 million fines.

"Aside from violating the law, trade of sea turtle shell-based souvenirs will surely jeopardize Hawksbill sea turtle's survival while this species is in fact the most endangered sea turtle species among the others," confirmed Bayu Sandi.