Stakeholder perception on the Sea Turtle conservation in the Gili Matra Tourism Area, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

Abstract

The conservation of sea turtles in a nature-based tourism area is significant to enhance sustainability of the sea turtle population in the wild. Small islands in Lombok Island chains, the Gili Matra, are one of the significant habitats for turtles, and the island is recognized as one of the islands with fastest tourism growth in Indonesia. The research aims to explore the stakeholders’ perspectives in sea turtle conservation in Gili Matra, Lombok. Focus group discussion was implemented to identify the stakeholder perspective. Literature survey was carried out to generate related data concerning sea turtle population and its habitat quality in Gili Matra. The result of this study indicates that stakeholders can identify three species of sea turtle in Gili Matra waters, namely the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), and the ridley sea turtle (Lepydochely olivacea). Stakeholders state that between 1990 and 2017, there was reduction in the population size in Gili Matra. Factors related to the decrease of population in Gili Matra include decrease of habitat quality and human activity. Some recommendations were made, including increasing socialization and campaign, providing tools and facility to support conservation action, controlling unsustainable practice of fish collection, strengthening the implementation of regulation, and providing training and technical assistance to the local community and local office.