ITK IPB and BPSPL Padang Organizing Training Program on Turtle Tagging

Department of Marine Science and Technology of Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University (ITK-IPB) in cooperation with the Centre for Coastal and Marine Resource Management (BPSPL) Padang, Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries Affairs (MMAF) of Indonesia implemented the Training for Trainers: Tata Cara Penandaan (Tagging) Penyu Propinsi Sumatera Barat (Procedures of Turtles Tagging in West Sumatra province). This course took place in the Office of BPSPL Padang, Pantai Air Manis, Padang, on 20 October 2014.

Three instructors were from the Marine Biodiversity Biosistematika ITK IPB Laboratory, namely Dr. Hawis Madduppa, Beginer Subhan, M.Si, and Dondy Arafat, M.Si. They presented Microcontroller-Based Turtle Tagging utilizing sensors of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Dr Hawis Madduppa stated that the initiation of RFID is derived from cooperative project between ITK and WWF Indonesia for Whale Sharks. But in its development, they can also be utilized for other marine biotas.  In addition, those instructors also provided how to collect genetic samplings.

Section Head of Administrative and Preservation BPSPL Padang, Afdal Kamil, S. Sos, stated that the training was very important in the management of sea turtles in West Sumatra, and was in accordance with the work program of the Turtle Conservation Coordination Forum (FKPP) of West Sumatra. (Wied).