Unmanned Aircraft Technology Strengthens Turtle Conservation Efforts in Berau

Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), in collaboration with the East Kalimantan Marine and Fisheries Office (DKP), the Pontianak Marine Management Office, and local conservation community groups, has completed a series of monitoring activities for turtle habitats and populations in the Coastal and Small Islands Conservation Area of the Derawan Archipelago and Its Surrounding Waters (KKP3K KDPS), Berau Regency, East Kalimantan. 

Supported by the Solutions for Marine and Coastal Resilience in the Coral Triangle (SOMACORE) program, the monitoring results indicate that most turtle nesting habitats in Berau remain in good condition. This reinforces the importance of strengthening conservation area management based on scientific data and community participation.

Surveys were conducted at key sites including Mataha, Bilang-bilangan, Sangalaki, Derawan, Teluk Sulaiman, and Balikukup. Activities included turtle nesting habitat surveys, population monitoring using unmanned aircraft technology, and coastal community perception surveys regarding turtle conservation.

Berau is an important part of the Sulu-Sulawesi seascape within the Coral Triangle region. It is recognized as Indonesia’s largest green turtle (Chelonia mydas) habitat and serves as a migratory route for various ecologically significant marine species.

Irhan Hukmaidy, Head of the East Kalimantan DKP, stated that these monitoring results provide a crucial basis for strengthening conservation area management in Berau.

“Berau holds significant ecological value, not only for East Kalimantan but also for the world. The monitoring results show that many turtle nesting habitats remain in very good condition and must be continuously protected through collaborative conservation management with local communities,” he said.

He added that the regional government continues to prioritize strengthened area surveillance, sustainable tourism management, and public education to support the long-term survival of turtle populations in Berau.

Habitat monitoring revealed that out of 27 observation points, 26 were classified as green or highly suitable for turtle nesting. These locations have favorable beach characteristics, including appropriate sand composition, ideal slopes, natural vegetation, and minimal human disturbance.

Mataha Island received the highest habitat suitability score. As an uninhabited island, it offers ideal nesting conditions with minimal light pollution, human activity, and physical barriers. Nonetheless, threats such as erosion, sea-level rise, and natural predators persist in some areas.

Meanwhile, sites in densely populated areas such as Derawan and Balikukup are under greater pressure from waste, artificial lighting, and human coastal activities, all of which can disturb nesting turtles.

Syarif Iwan Taruna Alkadrie, the head of the Pontianak Marine Management Office, emphasized that adopting technology improves the precision and efficiency of data collection, which strengthens the management of conservation areas.

“Technology allows for broader and more detailed monitoring of turtle habitats and populations, even in hard-to-reach areas. This data is crucial for science-based decision-making in conservation management,” he explained.

Through aerial surveys, the team successfully mapped turtle habitats at 12 locations. High-resolution aerial imagery enabled researchers to visually identify turtles in shallow waters, seagrass beds, and coral reef areas. 

In total, the surveys identified 913 individual turtles in KKP3K KDPS coastal waters. The aerial imagery achieved very high precision, with spatial resolutions ranging from 1.5 to 5 centimeters, allowing for accurate differentiation of turtles from other objects in the ocean. 

Yusuf Fajariyanto, Senior Ocean Protection Manager at YKAN, emphasized that community involvement and technology are key to supporting turtle conservation efforts in Berau.

“Turtle conservation cannot be done solely by the government or conservation organizations. Coastal communities play a vital role directly alongside turtle habitats. In addition, the use of high-resolution unmanned aircraft technology enables faster and more accurate data collection across vast coastal zones. The discovery of hundreds of turtles within KKP3K KDPS highlights the area’s importance as a critical habitat that must be safeguarded together,” he said.

Active Role of Local Communities

In addition to ecological monitoring, the survey explored how coastal communities perceive turtles. A total of 75 fishers from Balikukup, Derawan, Maratua, Teluk Sulaiman, and Biduk-Biduk were interviewed.

Results indicate a high level of public awareness regarding the importance of turtles. About 98% of respondents understood that hunting turtles is illegal. Most also recognized the ecological and tourism benefits of turtle conservation.

Many fishers reported frequent turtle sightings both at sea and on beaches year-round, particularly green and hawksbill turtles. Many respondents believe that turtle populations have begun to recover compared to the past, due to legal protections, enforcement, and conservation initiatives.

The monitoring also emphasized the importance of striking a balance between conservation efforts and community economic activities, such as fisheries and tourism. In several tourist destinations such as Sangalaki, Maratua, and Derawan, effective tourism management was demonstrated in successfully reducing disturbances to turtle habitats.

As a conservation area spanning over 285,000 hectares, KKP3K KDPS plays a central role in maintaining the sustainability of Berau’s coastal and marine ecosystems. It provides not only crucial turtle habitat but also supports diverse marine life, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, manta rays, and marine mammals.

“Through this study and monitoring, we aim to support effective and sustainable conservation area management based on scientific data and local community knowledge. These findings are expected to strengthen conservation policies, protect key turtle habitats, and promote more eco-friendly fisheries and tourism practices in Berau’s coastal ecosystems,” explained Muhammad Ilman, YKAN Ocean Program Director.

Moving forward, YKAN, the government, and partners will continue data analysis and develop comprehensive management recommendations to ensure the sustainable protection of Berau’s turtle habitats and coastal ecosystems.