Under the moonlight on the shores of Berau, one by one, green sea turtles emerge from the sea, returning to the very beaches where they hatched decades ago. With slow yet determined movements, they dig into the white sands of Sangalaki, Derawan, and Bilang-Bilangan, leaving behind hundreds of eggs—small hopes for the future of this endangered species.
Let's take a look at what we have done with our partners to ensure the turtles are still there today. This article is part of the ongoing series "Using Technology to Protect Turtle Habitats and Populations inCoastal and Small Islands Conservation Area of the Derawan Islands and Surrounding Waters (KKP3K KDPS)." Read the first story here and the second story here.
Every night, all year round, more than 5,000 turtles arrive in silence, writing an ancient story of loyalty, struggle, and life that endlessly renews itself along the shoreline.
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Yet, behind the beauty and serenity lies a harsh reality. Not only are green turtles faithful to their nesting grounds, but they are also an endangered species. From October 17 to 29, 2025, a new approach took flight over the coastal skies of Berau. Through the Solutions for Marine and Coastal Resilience in the Coral Triangle (SOMACORE) program, YKAN collaborated with the Provincial Marine and Fisheries Office (DKP) of East Kalimantan, the Pontianak Marine Management Office, and local conservation communities to introduce drone technology as part of efforts to monitor and protect turtles and their habitats in coastal and small island areas.
Through this collaboration, technology is more than a tool—it opens new ways to understand and protect marine ecosystems. Irhan Hukmaidy, Head of the East Kalimantan DKP, stated that these monitoring results form a vital basis for strengthening the management of Berau’s conservation areas:
“Berau has tremendous ecological value, not only for East Kalimantan but for the world. The monitoring results show that the turtle nesting habitats in several locations remain in excellent condition and must continue to be protected through collaborative conservation management with the community,” he explained.
From the air, areas that were once difficult to reach can now be mapped with greater clarity. Remote small islands, long coastlines, and hidden spots are now open to observation—and the results are promising.
Coinciding with World Turtle Day on 23 March 2026, the aerial survey data collected by the joint team was published. The team monitored 12 turtle habitat locations from the sky and successfully identified up to 913 individual turtles in the coastal waters of KKP3K KDPS. Amazing, isn’t it? Beyond pride and emotion, we realise that technological breakthroughs like this greatly enhance our conservation efforts.
This technology does not replace human effort but strengthens it, fostering collaboration between government, organisations, and communities to protect these precious areas. Behind each flight lies hope: that by using technology wisely, we can provide stronger protection for turtles and the marine ecosystems they call home.
From the skies, the story of the turtles’ lives is now clearer, and from the data we gather, our hope to protect them grows ever stronger.
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