Management of Green Turtle Eggs (Chelonia mydas) as one of the Supporting Aspects for its Sustainability in Pangumbahan Beach, Sukabumi Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Pangumbahan Beach is one of the beaches suitable for green turtle nesting in Indonesia. Management of sea turtles including green turtle eggs is very important in maintaining its sustainability, because the eggs are a crucial part of population recruitment. One of the properties of the turtle is "homing orientation". This means that many eggs are hatched, many hatchlings are produced and then returned to the sea, and will thus improve the attendance rates of sea turtles nesting in the beach. According to data and information of the manager at the Pangumbahan Beach, the number of green turtle eggs collected during the 8-year period of 2001-2008 was about 626,115 eggs. Based on the results of in situ observations and interviews with local people, green turtle eggs produced from green turtles broodstock are moved from the nest to semi-natural nests for hatching. In the rainy season the semi-natural nest is placed indoors, while this is done outdoors in the dry season. Managing currently development of both the rainy season and dry semi-natural nests can be utilized to good. The management development of green turtle eggs in Pangumbahan Beach is making good progress over time as the knowledge of the officers improves.This may result in an increase in the number of hatched eggs. In 2009 the number of hatched eggs was about 142,609 eggs, and increased in 2010 to as many as 157,690 eggs. In 2011 a total of 131,211 eggs were hatched. Therefore, it is expected that this effort will increase the number of hatchlings returned to the sea, and that after they become adults the will continue to return to Pangumbahan Beach for nesting.