The staggering decline of our biodiversity is something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible and as effectively as possible. Especially, when it comes to the critically endangered species of sea turtle, the Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata). While their slow growth and reproductive rates may have increased their vulnerability, it is excessive human exploitation that threatens their survival. The practice of using hawksbill sea turtle shells (more commonly as a material called tortoiseshell) could be dated back to the ages of ancient Egypt, Greeks and Romans. While countries have tried to discourage practices that eat hawksbill turtle meat and collect their shells, illegal poaching and even accidental capture are still prevalent in many parts of the world. For the last 100 years, hawksbills sea turtles have 80% less nestling, disconcertingly insufficient to sustain their population.

As an effort to aid hawkbills sea turtles, Sahabat Alam visited Balai Taman Nasional Kepulauan Seribu, Indonesia on 26 October 2008. Seeing that sea turtles struggle to survive in the face of human activities as well as shifting climates, Sahabat Alam helped by aiding hatchlings of hawkbills return to their natural habitat.

Through this, young generations are also taught to understand that sea turtles have become one of our utmost concerns to preserve because their essential role both in oceanic and coastal ecosystem. Sea turtles consume dangerous species of jellyfish and sea sponges as well as sea grass. Thus, they are the key actor of maintaining conducive environment for creatures from the lower levels of the food chain. Moreover, hawksbills’ nesting and hatching are crucial to sustain nutrition for coastal vegetation. Their hatched or unhatched eggs, as well as hatchlings that cannot make it to the ocean, serve as nutritional source for creatures in coastal ecosystem.