U.S. 8-year old seeks support to save sea turtles

If you're able, please take just a minute and sign this petition that Cameron Koporc, a U.S. 2nd grader, has started to outlaw mass balloon releases in the state of Georgia. Please share with others who may share her passion for our land and marine wildlife. She is seeking signatures from individuals in all 50 states and around the world.   To sign the petition, go to:  Petition to make mass balloon releases illegal

Illegal trade of sea turtle shell products in Tanjung Benoa, Bali

Tanjung Benoa, Bali was notorious as the hub of the illegal sea turtle trade in Indonesia. In 1999, ProFauna Indonesia (a sea turtle conservation group and partner with Turtle Foundation) launched its investigation report revealing that 9,000 turtles were slaughtered within 4 months in Bali. Responding to the report, between 2000 and 2002 the authorities had conducted confiscation operations and law enforcement on the illegal trade.

What is the condition of the trade in the island between 2011 and early 2012? Since the massive enforcement operations, the trade has been decreasing drastically but it has not stopped. ProFauna records show that on 5th July 2011, the Marine Police of Bali seized 18 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) about to be smuggled to Tanjung Benoa. In conclusion, sea turtle trade in Bali still happens secretly and in very organized ways.

What can you do?

• Do not visit the tourism places exploiting sea turtle like Pulau Penyu (Sea Turtle Island) in Tanjung Benoa, Bali.
• Do not buy sea turtle shell jewelry and souvenirs.

Send a letter and/or email to encourage the government to enforce the law to curb the illegal trade of the sea turtle shell jewelry and souvenirs in Pulau Penyu, Tanjung Benoa. Send your letter to the following:

Bali Governor, Made Mangku Pastika

Jl. Basuki Rahmat Nitimandala Denpasar Bali Indonesia

Tel. (+62361) 35155

Fax. (+62361) 433840 – 247431

Email: info@baliprov.go.id

Zulkifli Hasan SE. MM

Menteri Kehutanan Republik Indonesia (The Forestry Minister)

Gedung Manggala Wanabakti Blok I Lt. 3

Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto

Jakarta 10270

Email: menhut@dephut.go.id

For further information please contact:

ProFauna Bali Representative
Mobile: +62 817 970 6066

For the complete article excerpted above, see ProFauna's article at:   Illegal turtle trade in Bali

Brenna and Stephanie - the future of turtle conservation

Brenna and Stephanie are cousins and best friends, and they love turtles.  The 11-year old girls donated the proceeds from their fundraising efforts to Turtle Foundation, and sent in these letters and drawings showing their dedication to turtle conservation.  They hope to open their own sea turtle rescue facility when they get older.  Turtle Foundation is working hard to ensure that there will still be turtles for Brenna and Stephanie to help save, and for their children and grandchildren, too.  We are delighted to have Brenna and Stephanie's support.   Thank you to both of you.  Turtle Girls Rule!

Conference today in Praia, Cape Verde to discuss risks of foreign fishing in Cape Verde.

The risks on the Cape Verdean ecosystem posed by fishing on the part of foreign vessels is the theme of a conference and debate set to take place at 6:00 pm today, February 14, at the Institut Français du Cap-Vert (IFCV) in Praia.

The event is being carried out in partnership with the NGO Biosfera, and is the first in a cycle of debates on the main environmental and development-related challenges facing Cape Verde.

Tommy Melo, the vice-president and co-founder of Biosfera, will speak on the subject, after which a round-table discussion will be held with Cape Verdean and foreign specialists, who will debate the theme presented.

Director General of the Environment Moisés Borges, a representative from the Ministry of the Environment, Housing and Territorial Management, Director General of Fisheries Juvino Vieira, European Union Ambassador Jospe Coll, UNDP official Olivier Puginier and Spanish Ambassador José Miguel Corvinos Lafuente have confirmed their participation in the round-table debate.

Original article at:  A Semana

Vet's work keeps Matilda the amputee turtle waltzing

It is people like this that give me hope for the future. 
Australian vet saves sea turtle caught in crab pot