Patterns and Trends of Crocodile Trade from Tanah Papua, Indonesia

Rinekso Soekmadi,Bramasto Nugroho,Hardjanto Hardjanto,Dewi Untari

doi:10.24259/fs.v4i1.9058

Abstract

Crocodylus porosus and C. novaeguineae are two protected and tradable crocodile species in Indonesia. Therefore, precautionary principles are needed in their utilization to ensure sustainability. Although the commodity from these species is traded domestically and internationally, the broader picture of its use in Indonesia is less known. The objectives of the study were to: (1) analyze the domestic trade of crocodiles, and (2) analyze the international trade of crocodiles. The analysis was conducted using data of direct utilization sourced from the wild in the form of skin and hatchlings, data on domestic transport permits, CITES export permits, and the CITES trade database. The study suggested that the harvest of crocodile hatchlings and skin do not represent the actual condition since the skin recorded were only those sent outside of the province. Determining zero harvest quotas of C. porosus did not stop species harvest for domestic trade. The dominant source of C. porosus skin export was captive breeding, while C. novaeguineaewas sourced from the wild. Ranch-sourced skin of both species for export were very low.

Highlights

Wildlife trade is one of the main contributors to the loss of biodiversity (Grieser Johns & Thompson, 2005; Sutherland et al, 2009)
The analysis on crocodile trade in Indonesia was conducted using the data of direct utilization sourced from the wild in the form of skin and hatchlings, the data on domestic transport permit establishment, Indonesia export database which was based on the establishment of CITES export permit, and CITES trade database
The Memberamo Zone spread from the middle up to the north of Papua province (Figure 2). It is the habitat of C. novaeguineae (Kurniati, 2002; Cox, 2010; BBKSDA Papua, 2015a; BBKSDA Papua, 2016; Solmu and Monalis, 2019), but based on the population monitoring survey in 2016, C. porosus was found in the upstream and middle stream area (BBKSDA Papua, 2016)

Summary

Introduction

Wildlife trade is one of the main contributors to the loss of biodiversity (Grieser Johns & Thompson, 2005; Sutherland et al, 2009). The arrangements based on the regulation were: 1) regulating that crocodile utilization sourced from the wild are only allowed in Tanah Papua (Papua and West Papua Provinces) based on the Minister of Forestry Decree Number 2827/Kpts-II/2002 concerning establishment of saltwater crocodiles (C. porosus) and fresh water Irian crocodile (C. novaeguineae) as hunting animals in Papua and West Papua Province; 2) controlling utilization from the wild by arranging harvest quotas through the Minister of Forestry Decree Number 447/Kpts-II/2003 concerning the Trade of Wild Flora and Fauna Collection or Hunting and Distribution; and 3) utilization from ranching and captive breeding to reduce the utilization sourced from the wild through the Minister of Forestry Decree Number P.19/Menhut-II/2005 concerning Wild Flora and Fauna Captive Breeding as amended by Minister of Forestry Regulation Number P.69/MenhutII/2013

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion