In the islands of Pulau Banyak, South Aceh, a sea turtle monitoring programme has been set up by Yayasan Pulau Banyak, a local NGO, supported by Swiss based Paneco and partnering with Yayasan Ecosystem Leuser and Casa Tortuga.

A beach patrol team of locals, students and national volunteers have been trained to collect the data and use standardized methodology in their recording and conservation efforts.

Yayasan Pulau Banyak also provides the opportunity to the students of universities and higher education in Banda Aceh, to collect data for their thesis and have valuable work experience to develop their future careers.

Information is being collected during nightly beach patrols and nesting sea turtles are being measured, tagged and recorded. Nesting sea turtles receive a metal tag in each flipper. Each tag carries a different number, so individuals can be recognized when they return to the beach in the future.

In this way it is possible to determine how much the population decreases. That the population is less than before is already certain, as illegal egg poaching has been widespread for many years. Through the tagging programme Yayasan Pulau Banyak can tell if the population has reached critically low numbers because we are now able to count the tagged individuals that return to the nesting beach. This information will help to protect the turtles better.

Leatherback turtles also receive a micro chip implant to help their identification in other countries such as India and Madagascar.

In February 2008, the first sea turtle in Sumatra was tagged in Pulau Bangkaru. In May 2008 a new research post was built on the island to provide better facilities to the beach patrol team. In November 2008 international volunteers are expected to join the programme and assist the local patrol team in the data collection.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME

In conjunction with the Padi Foundation and Natura Eco tours, Yayasan Pulau Banyak will undertake a comprehensive environmental education programme, which involves an interactive lesson plan for local schools adapted to the national curriculum for Biology. Please watch this space for more information on the development of this programme.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES

Yayasan Pulau Banyak is currently involved in several community programmes, such as sponsoring teachers for local schools, sponsoring the youth clubs and sport clubs. These activities gain support from the local communities for the conservation work and provide a close knit network with the community. A comprehensive eco-tourism programme and several socio-economic programmes are being developed.