Banda Aceh, July 16, 2024 – Sea turtles are endangered marine reptiles listed on the IUCN Red List and CITES Appendix I. Therefore, all forms of utilization and circulation require serious attention from various parties. Currently, six of the seven remaining species of sea turtles in the world are found in Indonesia, with some species, such as the leatherback turtle, green turtle, olive ridley turtle, and hawksbill turtle, found in the Aceh Province. Aceh is known as a haven for sea turtle populations, being the largest landing site in Indonesia.
To support sea turtle conservation efforts, the Faculty of Marine and Fisheries (FKP) of Syiah Kuala University (USK), as the main organizer, in collaboration with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA-USK) through the Biology Department as co-host, is organizing the “Aceh International Sea Turtle Festival – Protecting Sea Turtles and Their Habitats”. This event is held on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, from 08:30 AM to 4:00 PM in the FMIPA USK Auditorium. The goal of this event is to provide an overview of the current status and threats to sea turtles as well as conservation solutions in the Aceh Province and to share knowledge related to standard sea turtle research methods.
The “Aceh International Sea Turtle Festival” seminar is conducted over one day, featuring speakers from various institutions, including universities, government agencies (BKSDA/BPSPL), Liberec Zoo, and NGOs (WCS, FF). Each speaker will present materials related to their field of expertise or research conducted in sea turtle conservation efforts. To engage the participants, discussion sessions are an essential part of the workshop. Additionally, the event will announce the commencement of an international competition for sea turtle articles/essays, posters, and photography for students. Invited guests include government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and community groups involved in sea turtle conservation.
Speakers at this event include Prof. Dr. Nur Fadli, M.Sc, (Expert, Aceh Turtle Conservation Forum) presenting on “Sea Turtle Research Status in Aceh”; Widya Sari, M.Si, a lecturer in Biology at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA-USK), on the topic “Threats to Sea Turtle Ecosystems”. Meanwhile, Andrianus Sembiring, M.Sc from the Indonesian Biodiversity Foundation (BIONESIA) will participate via Zoom meeting. This session will be moderated by Dr. Ir. Wira Dharma, S.Si, M.Si, M.P. The second session features Alessandro Ponzo from the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines (LAMAVE), also participating via Zoom meeting; M. Fauzi from the Pulo Aceh Ecotourism Institute (LEPA); and Adela Hemilikova, a researcher from Liberec Zoo, participating via Zoom meeting, discussing “Standard Sea Turtle Research Methods”. This session will be moderated by Sri Agustina, MS.
In his opening remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Marine and Fisheries USK, Prof. Dr. Muchlisin ZA, S.Pi, M.Sc, expressed hope that this event can continue and gather the sea turtle conservation community so that more efforts to conserve sea turtles can be carried out. The event was also attended by the Dean of FMIPA-USK, Prof. Dr. Taufik Fuadi Abidin, S.Si., M.Tech, and the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, represented by the Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Alumni, and Cooperation, Dr. drh. Faisal Jamin, M.Si. Haekal Azief Haridhi, S.Kel., M.Si., Ph.D. (Coordinator of Marine Sciences) also delivered a welcoming remark to the guests and participants. With this event, it is hoped that sea turtle conservation efforts in the Aceh Province can be strengthened and carried out more effectively, and that public awareness about the importance of protecting sea turtles and their habitats can be increased.
