UNAIR NEWS – Indonesia has around 3.54 million km2 of waters, or equivalent to 70% of Indonesia’s territory and a coastline of approximately 81,000 km. Banyuwangi Regency, located at the eastern tip of Java Island, is the largest regency in East Java. Banyuwangi coastline length reaches 178.8 km with ten islands. It is a habitat for fish and other living organisms, including turtles as protected animals found in the coastal area of Banyuwangi. Four species of turtles lay eggs on Banyuwangi coasts, namely the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata ), Olive Ridley Sea Turtle ( Lepidochelys olivacea), and Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).
One of the coastlines that turtles often gathered is the Santen Island area. Over the past few years, the coastline of Santen Island has become a favorite location for Olive Ridley Sea Turtle landings. To maintain this cycle, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine UNAIR, conducted a community service program entitled “Optimizing Marine Ecosystem Conservation Programs through Community Empowerment in Karangrejo Village, Banyuwangi District, Banyuwangi Regency”.
To make the program a success, FKH UNAIR collaborated with the Banyuwangi Sea Turtle Foundation (BSTF) Conservation Section for Region V Banyuwangi, the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) and the Denpasar Coastal and Marine Resources Management Center (BPSPL). The shared commitment provides an understanding to the people of Santen Island about the importance of maintaining marine conservation.
On that occasion, three speakers were Head of Conservation Region V Banyuwangi, East Java BKSDA, Purwantono; BSTF Publication and Dissemination Coordinator, Bayu Saksono and Denpasar BPSPL staff, Dewi Retnoningrum delivered materials on the potential, description and benefits of turtle ecosystem conservation in the Santen Island area. It was presented as a webinar so that it was not only viewed by the people around Santen Island.
In his speech, Vice Dean III of FKH UNAIR, Prof. Dr. Mustofa Helmi Effendi, drh., DTAPH., conveyed a shared commitment to understanding the importance of conservation efforts in coastal areas.
“We want to invite the public to understand the conservation system and conservation goals. In addition to maintaining natural conditions, we also want to improve the community’s welfare as part of the impact of conservation,” said the FKH UNAIR Professor.
He also said that FKH UNAIR provided understanding to the community and other resource persons about anything that could support the sustainability of sea turtle activities on Santen Island, by planting of pandanus trees and shrimp pine around Santen Island Beach. During this activity, hatchlings were also released. All participants and the committee were directly directed by BSTF.
“This place has become a turtle landing icon. So we have to keep it. When many turtles lay their eggs here, many tourists will also come,” added Prof. Helmi.
FKH UNAIR, he said, will always provide support for marine conservation to the people of Santen Island in a sustainable manner, at least until the community already owns or builds a conservation culture.
“UNAIR also has SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) achieved here. That is to make people aware of the importance of conservation, then our collaboration and education with the community. Including our role in dealing with climate change,” he concluded.
Author: Muhammad Suryadiningrat
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
