Short Communication: Antimicrobial properties in cloacal fluid of olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

Praja RN, Yudhana A, Haditanojo W, Oktaviana V. 2021. Short Communication: Antimicrobial properties in cloacal fluid of olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Biodiversitas 22: 3671-3676. There were several speculations regarding the main purpose of sea turtle cloacal fluid, such as lubrication during egg deposition, which could help reduce egg speed as they are dropped in nesting sand, or contain antimicrobial properties to protect their eggs from pathogenic microorganisms. However, the exact purpose of this fluid which is mucous-like in consistency remains unknown. This study aimed to identify antimicrobial properties in the cloacal fluid of olive ridley sea turtles. Cloacal fluid samples were collected during nesting season in Banyuwangi City coastal areas, East Java Province, Indonesia. Moreover, the Kirby-Bauer diffusion disk method recorded antimicrobial properties and tested against several bacterial colonies collected from sand in natural nesting chambers. This preliminary study also concluded that antimicrobial properties were recorded when presented against several bacteria colonies from natural nesting sands namely Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Bacillus spp. Furthermore, the present study should be expanded to include other bacteria and fungi colonies. In addition, results from the present study could be used to develop methods in creating antibiotics similar to those found naturally in natural nesting areas to prevent microorganism contamination and globally increase hatchling success, which has a greater impact to support sea turtle conservation efforts as endangered species.

An Examination of an Opportunity for Collaboration Among Stakeholders to Promote Conservation in Sea Turtle Tourism in Gilli Trawangan, Indonesia

All species of sea turtles are globally endangered, largely due to the impact of unsustainable tourism. Gili Trawangan, a small island, depends on marine tourism and has an abundant population of sea turtles. Stakeholder collaboration is often used to promote sustainable tourism development and sea turtle conservation. This study examined stakeholder collaboration to promote conservation in sea turtle tourism in small islands by exploring a case study in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia. The study was conducted in 2010. It applied qualitative research methods to expand the knowledge of collaboration in the development of sustainable tourism in small islands. Stakeholder analysis helped to reveal barriers to and influences on tourism development to help promote sea turtle conservation and protect the livelihoods of local communities. Key findings are that education, financial considerations, management structure, regulatory conflict, a disconnect to the island, and stakeholder conflict are factors that influenced stakeholder collaboration in Gili Trawangan.

An Examination of an Opportunity for Collaboration Among Stakeholders to Promote Conservation in Sea Turtle Tourism in Gilli Trawangan, Indonesia

All species of sea turtles are globally endangered, largely due to the impact of unsustainable tourism. Gili Trawangan, a small island, depends on marine tourism and has an abundant population of sea turtles. Stakeholder collaboration is often used to promote sustainable tourism development and sea turtle conservation. This study examined stakeholder collaboration to promote conservation in sea turtle tourism in small islands by exploring a case study in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia. The study was conducted in 2010. It applied qualitative research methods to expand the knowledge of collaboration in the development of sustainable tourism in small islands. Stakeholder analysis helped to reveal barriers to and influences on tourism development to help promote sea turtle conservation and protect the livelihoods of local communities. Key findings are that education, financial considerations, management structure, regulatory conflict, a disconnect to the island, and stakeholder conflict are factors that influenced stakeholder collaboration in Gili Trawangan.

Effectiveness of Sea Turtle Conservation Management at the Turtle Conservation and Education Center of Serangan, Denpasar Bali

Turtles are one of the reptile animals that can migrate long distances along the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia. The purpose of turtle migration is to mate, find spawning locations and to find food. Sea turtles have an important role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem. However, the high utilization of sea turtles by humans causes the turtle population to decline. One of the conservation sites that help the government program is in Serangan, Denpasar Bali, namely the TCEC (Turtle Conservation and Education Center), where there are several types of turtles such as the lekang turtle, hawksbill and green turtle. Data collection techniques in this study used observation methods including beach monitoring, relocation of turtle eggs to semi-natural hatchery hatching, hatchling and turtle nesting as well as measurement of turtle length and width carapase curve (CCL/CCW), sand temperature, nest depth, nest diameter, nest distance and nest calculation of the number of eggs to see the success of hatching. The results are turtle conservation activities, ranging from turtle maintenance, hatching of turtle eggs, relocation of eggs, and maintenance of hatchlings to release turtles. The effectiveness given by TCEC to manage and preserve the existence of sea turtles in Indonesia, especially in the Bali region is to provide awareness to the community by not consuming eggs and turtle meat.