The Island of Bali in Indonesia has been the hub of the sea turtle trade for two decades. The buyers of turtle meat, shells and eggs are mainly found in the Asian markets as well as in Indonesia itself. Turtle meat and eggs are not going to feed the poor, instead they are a privilege of affluent societies. Turtle shell is being used for jewellery and ornaments, all unnecessary objects, for which hundreds of thousands of turtles have to lose their lives.

All eight species of sea turtles are threatened with extinction and therefore strictly protected by CITES, the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species.
Nevertheless, the number of animals - who have inhabited our oceans for over 150 million years - is constantly declining. Until four years ago, in Bali alone, an average of 25,000 sea turtles a year were brutally cut out of their shells alive! As a result of several action and campaigns by Indonesian and European animal welfare organizations, this number has dropped to around 3000 a year.

However, in view of sea turtles being threatened with extinction, every single life is important in order to preserve the population.

The objective of our new campaign is to collect as many signatures, statements and letters of protest as possible. We want the relevant authorities of Bali and Indonesia to be aware that people from all over the world will again focus on Bali`s sea turtles and call upon the government to stop it now forever. At the moment, Indonesia and Bali are both struggling for every single tourist. Tourism is very important for their economies, and anything that may harm their image is subsequently taken seriously. We can therefore be sure of obtaining the full attention of the authorities, although we intend to use more pressure and less diplomacy this time.

Sign now ! Once you have signed, please tell your friends about the terrible threat to these magnificent reptiles which have inhabited our oceans for over 150 million years!

The Petition will be given personally to the Governor of Bali Drs. I Dewa Made Beratha, by the ProFauna Organisation Indonesia and representative of SOS.Seaturtles

read all the facts on www.sos-seaturtles.ch