Sea Turtle Protection: A Case Study of Protected Sea Turtle Capture in Gunungkidul Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the legal process for capturing protected turtles in Gunungkidul Regency and the rescued green turtle’s background. This research uses a socio-legal approach. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and observation and analyzed qualitatively. The result shows: first, the process of catching turtles carried out by community members is strictly enforced. The Natural Resources Conservation Agency of Yogyakarta Special Region submitted the turtle arrest case to police investigators for further investigation. Whatever reasons people put forward, it doesn’t stop the police from strictly enforcing the turtle capture case. Second, the background of the capture of green turtles is due to the lack of public awareness and concern about the importance of turtles as endangered species that are protected and should not be caught. In this case, the regulations regarding the protection and prohibition of capturing turtles are complete, but the local communities often violate them. The results suggest a need to strengthen local communities to understand the importance of protecting turtles as endangered species and strict sanctions for turtle capture. It is not only to establish the education community but also to empower the community to provide the initial information to the investigators if it is found the violation of the Act on the turtles protection.