Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TANJUNG BENOA AND THE TURTLE TRADE
Indonesia is one of the world's most important countries for marine turtles and home to
six out of the seven marine turtle species, all endangered due to the destruction of habitat
and nesting sites , illegal trade and accidental capture by fishing nets. Female turtles only
lay eggs on the beaches where they were born; on Bali these include those at Kuta , Sanur ,
Nusa Dua , Tanjung Benoa , Jimbaran and Pemuteran . All of these have been affected
by tourist development; turtles will not come ashore if there's too much light or noise, and
hatchlings can get confused by the bright lights and head inshore rather than out to sea.
Traditionally, turtles were slaughtered on Bali for human consumption and religious sac-
rifice. It is estimated that between 1969 and 1999 thirty thousand turtles per year were
landed in Tanjung Benoa, plunging the population into severe decline. However, in 1999
Indonesia implemented a turtle trade ban amid threats of a tourism boycott of Bali and
in 2005 the Hindu Dharma Council of Indonesia decreed that substitutes could be used for
any endangered species in religious rituals.
The change in attitudes means that neiher turtle flesh nor products are offered anymore in
Tanjung Benoa. Some say the trade has just shifted underground ; in January 2013 local
newspapers reported illegal trading of animals poached elsewhere in Indonesia such as
Kalimantan. It's certainly a profitable business; a single turtle can fetch up to $600.
Several groups have established turtle hatcheries on Bali and Lombok, including on
Kuta Beach, at Reef Seen Aquatics in Pemuteran and on the Gili Islands. For further in-
formation and to support conservation efforts contact Turtle Foundation ( turtle-found-
ation.org ) , ProFauna Indonesia in Denpasar ( 0361 808 5800, profauna.org ) and the
Jakarta branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature ( 021 576 1065, wwf.or.id ).
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION: NUSA DUA AND TANJUNG BENOA
By taxi If you've splurged on a few nights' luxury here you're unlikely to be hauling your
bags on a bemo or bus - a prepaid taxi from the airport costs Rp125,000, or expect to pay
around Rp100,000 in a metred taxi from Kuta.
By pick-up Most hotels will offer pick-up from (and travel to) the airport for about
Rp130,000-150,000.
Banks and exchange ATMs are on Jl Pratama in Tanjung Benoa. Big hotels offer exchange.
Hospitals and clinics All Nusa Dua hotels provide 24hr medical service; there are also expat-
oriented clinics near Kuta and hospitals in Denpasar.
GETTING AROUND
The resorts, restaurants and shops are strung over some 6km from the northern tip of Tanjung
Benoa to southern Nusa Dua, so getting around can be a hot business.
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