Blue Abadi Fund – The Yayasan Penyu Papua (YPP) as a grantee of the Blue Abadi Fund (BAF) continues to take concrete steps in efforts to mitigate threats to the sustainability of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) on Sayang Island and Piai Island, Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua. Through routine patrols (Photo 1), turtle monitoring activities, and capacity building for communities and institutions, this program aims to keep the nesting beaches on both islands safe from hunting and human activities that disrupt the natural turtle nesting process.
Photo 1. YPP team patrols Piai Island, February 2025
Marine Patrol and Monitoring: Protecting the Nesting Coastline
In February 2025, the YPP Team conducted six field patrols on Sayang Island. These patrols uncovered eight violations (Photos 2 and 3), including one small fishing vessel and seven fishing boats catching sharks and bottomfish around the conservation area. Additionally, the team found evidence of turtle poaching on Piai Island, including six turtle shells, two former grills, and one former hunter's tent.
Photo 2. The remains of a hunted green turtle carapace and the remains of a turtle meat grill on Piai Island, February 2025.
Photo 3. Former tent pole where turtle hunters live/shelter on Piai Island, February 2025.
Despite the challenges, the patrol members' enthusiasm remains unwavering. Intensive patrols are conducted to ensure that turtles can land and lay eggs without disturbance, while also preventing unauthorized vessels from entering the small islands of Raja Ampat.
Capaian Konservasi: 8.042 Tukik Kembali ke Laut
Monitoring results show encouraging news. In February 2025, 118 turtle nests were recorded on Sayang Island and 138 on Piai Island. The hatching success rate reached 92.07%, with 90.82% of the hatchlings successfully making their way to the sea, resulting in 8,042 new hatchlings, signaling new hope for turtle conservation in this area.
However, the team also noted that 23 nests (16.7%) experienced predation by monitor lizards (Varanussp) (Foto 4), terutama akibat abrasi pantai dan lamanya musim ombak. YPP kini sedang menyiapkan strategi relokasi sarang terancam untuk mengurangi kerugian alami ini.
Photo 4. Lizards prey on turtle nests on Piai Island
Synergy with Academics: Joint Research with University of Papua (Universitas Papua)
To strengthen the scientific basis for conservation activities, YPP has coordinated with the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, University of Papua (UNIPA). Joint research began in April 2025 (Photo 5), focusing on analyzing coastal nesting habitats and the ecological impacts of hunting. This collaboration is expected to produce scientific recommendations for turtle conservation policies in Raja Ampat and support the development of zoning for the protection of critical habitats on Piai and Sayang Islands.
Environmental Education and Community Empowerment
In addition to direct conservation activities, YPP is implementing an Environmental Education Program (PLH) for elementary and high school students in West Waigeo, North Waigeo, and the Ayau Islands (Photo 6). This program will begin in mid-2025 with a target of reaching more than 500 students. YPP is also in the process of drafting a Village Regulation (Perkam) on sustainable natural resource management in Selpele Village, which will strengthen the community's role in protecting turtles and marine ecosystems.
Looking Forward
These steps demonstrate YPP's commitment to protecting Raja Ampat's green turtle population. While challenges such as poaching, coastal erosion, and fishing pressure remain, collaborative efforts between local communities, academics, the government, and BAF grantees are key to maintaining the sustainability of this extraordinary marine ecosystem.
