Coral Triangle

Indonesia

• Berau Islands: WWF is laying the groundwork for field research, monitoring and education programs to protect nesting turtles on the beaches of the Berau Islands in East Kalimantan. Protecting nesting sites is important because this is the largest green turtle rookery in Southeast Asia and it is severely threatened by commercial harvesting of eggs. WWF is also working to encourage eco-tourism that generates local income based on diving and turtle-watching, rather than turtle egg collection.
  
• Sangalaki and Derawan: Previously, local people had collected 90 percent of the eggs laid on these islands. As of January 2002, WWF and its partners have put a complete stop to all turtle egg collection on the islands. The local district government head, Dr. Haji Masdjuni, recently shared the prestigious Getty Award for Conservation for his bold initiative to significantly limit turtle egg concessions.
  
• The Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC): TCEC is supported by WWF, Governor Bali, The Major of Denpasar's Municipality authorities, the Provincial Nature Resources Conservation Agency, and the local community. TCEC is developed as part of the comprehensive strategy to eradicate illegal turtle trading on the island and is trying to support the community of Serangan to find the alternatives beside illegal turtle business. The center harnesses the potential of education, tourism, conservation and research, with a liberal sprinkling of business, to give endangered turtles one more chance on Serangan. 
  
• Satellite Tracking of Green Turtles in Berau Marine Conservation Area: WWF and our partners are monitoring migration routes of green turtles that are nesting in Derawan Island complex, the largest green turtle rookeries in Asia.

Malaysia

• Protecting natural nesting grounds: Nesting beaches must be secluded from development and human activity. WWF’s goal is to protect important nesting grounds to ensure that turtle populations recover.
  
• Local community involvement: WWF is working with people to develop alternative sources of income such as eco-tourism to support their livelihood. Localised awareness programmes instill a sense of ownership and appreciation for the magnificent creatures on their doorstep.
  
• Satellite tracking and tagging: Identifying important near shore areas that the turtles use as migration routes, foraging areas, and nesting areas will help contribute to ongoing efforts to safeguard them. The results of our tracking will be used to develop management guidelines for these areas and advocate legal protection for these important grounds. 
  
• Protection of eggs and better management of hatcheries: Turtle eggs also need our protection from poachers. Existing legislation must be strengthened and enforced. WWF-Malaysia works hand-in-hand with turtle hatcheries to ensure best management practices are implemented.
  
• Adopt-a-Turtle Programme: In 2006, the JKKKs and the primary schools around the prominent nesting beaches in Malacca were given the opportunity to adopt nesting turtles that were tagged and monitored by WWF-Malaysia and the Department of Fisheries. Eight students and their schools received adoption certificates from the Chief Minister of Malacca, Datuk Seri Haji Mohd. Ali bin Mohd. Rustam, during the launch of WWF-Malaysia's Hawksbill Turtles Satellite Telemetry website on 7 November 2006, while the JKKKs received their adoption certificates during the community event on 9 December 2006.