HARVEST SUSTAINABILITY OF ASIATIC SOFTSHELL TURTLE Amyda cartilaginea IN INDONESIA DIRECTOR GENERAL OF FOREST PROTECTION AND NATURE CONSERVATION REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA as CITES MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY INDONESIA September 2008 HARVEST SUSTAINABILITY OF ASIATIC SOFTSHELL TURTLE Amyda cartilaginea IN INDONESIA 1 INTRODUCTION Amyda cartilaginea (Boddaert, 1770) is the only species currently included in the genus Amyda. This softshell turtle has been very popular in international trade, mainly for consumption and as pets, and has been considered as commonly traded wild harvested Asian turtle. The 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals lists the species as ‘Vulnerable’. This species was listed into Appendix II since 12 January 2005. As for the protection status in Indonesia, currently this species is not protected under Indonesian law. At the twenty-third meeting of the CITES Animals Committee (AC) held in Geneva on 19-24 April 2008 (Agenda Item 8.5), the AC agreed that A. cartilaginea was included in the Review of Significant Trade. This document explains the current situation of the population and harvest sustainability of this species in Indonesia. GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION A. cartilaginea (family Trionychidae, Order Testudines) has a widespread distribution in Southeast Asian countries, including in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam (Asian Turtle Conservation Network 2006, Iskandar 2000, van Dijk 2000). In Indonesia, this species is found in Kalimantan, Sumatra and its satellite islands (i.e., Bangka, Belitung, Riau Islands), Java, Bali, Lombok and its associated islands (Auliya 2007). Auliya (2007) also reported that introduced population occurring in Sulawesi. The existence of this species in Roti and Timor Island is still in question. POPULATION The A. cartilaginea turtle is the most common softshell turtle species throughout most of its range (Asian Turtle Conservation Network 2006). In Indonesia Samedi & Iskandar (2000) considered the species as ‘common’, and Iskandar (2000) considered it as ‘abundant locally’. Unfortunately, estimation of population number is not available in Indonesia or in all other range countries. BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION The softshell turtles are an ancient, morphologically bizarre, and geographically widespread group of turtles, characterized by reduction of the bony elements of the shell and complete loss of the keratinized, carapacial scutes that are characteristic of most other turtles (Engstrom et al . 2004). The softshell turtles truly have soft shells, and in fact, their shells are mostly thickened skin (Kaplan 1995).
1 Prepared by Ani Mardiastuti, Senior Fellow of Naha; email: [email protected] NATURE harmony - promoting a balance between development and conservation
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A. cartilaginea is a somewhat unusual turtle, with a long, tubular snout, paddle-like limbs, and a shell covered with leathery skin (Fig. 1). This tough skin is olive-grey to brownish-green on the upper shell (carapace), and white or greyish on the lower shell (plastron). The carapace of young A. cartilaginea is patterned with many yellow-bordered black spots and yellow dots, but this tends to fade with age. Small yellow spots may also speckle the olive skin of the head, neck and limbs, and orange to pinkish blotches sometimes occur on the side of the head. Young individuals may have several rows of raised bumps on their carapace, but like the yellow patterning, these too disappear in large adults. The tail of this turtle can be used to distinguish between the sexes, with males having longer and thicker tails than females (Auliya 2007, Asian Turtle Conservation Network 2006, Iskandar 2000, Ernst et al. 1989). The carapace size can reach 100 cm, although most A. cartilaginea found in the wild have a carapace of 60 cm (Iskandar 2000). Fig. 1. Head part of Amyda cartilaginea. Photo by Mirza D. Kusrini. The species inhabits a variety of freshwater habitats: ponds, lakes (including oxbow lakes adjacent to large rivers), streams and rivers (upland streams and muddy, slow-flowing lowland streams and rivers), peat swamps, canals, and possibly estuaries (Auliya 2007, Asian Turtle Conservation Network 2006, Iskandar 2000, Kaplan 1995, Ernst et al. 1989). They are highly aquatic, spending most of their time under water, often buried themselves under the sandy or muddy rivers or lake bottoms and often spotted with just its distinctive snout protruding from the water. At night they may emerge from the water onto land, where they will either feed or burrow into the sand and rest for long periods (Asian Turtle Conservation Network 2006, Iskandar 2000). Although most researchers (Auliya 2007, Asian Turtle Conservation Network 2006, Iskandar 2000, Ernst et al. 1989) reported that A. cartilaginea is primarily a carnivorous turtle feeds on fish, amphibians, crustaceans, aquatic insects and other invertebrates inhabiting the water, Jensen & Das (2008) found out that the stomach content of A. cartilaginea in Serawak mostly consisted of plant material (77%) and unknown vertebrate parts (55%), by using percentage frequency of occurrence. Fecal analysis indicated similar results: plant material (100%), unknown vertebrate parts (84%), fish (69%), and unknown arthropods (62%). Their results indicated that this species is an opportunistic omnivore. Nests are dug in mudbanks. Iskandar (2000) reported that females lay up to 40 hard-shelled eggs, up to four times a year. The eggs are spherical with diameters ranging from 21 to 33 mm. The incubation period is 135 to 140 days. The eggs and hatchlings of this turtle are known to be preyed upon by Monitor Lizards ( Varanus sp.), Crows ( Corvus sp.), and Serpent Eagles ( Spilornis cheela ). A. cartilaginea seems very susceptible to the ectoparasite infestation. In Kalimantan and Sumatra, traders reported that many specimens were infested by leaches. Further, study by Sudiana et al. (2000) in Java unveiled that 90% of the samples of wild A. cartilaginea were infested by ectoparasite of Pseudocalceostoma worms, both on the carapace and plastron. HARVEST AND TRADE In Indonesia, A. cartilaginea is harvested for both consumption and for pet. Their parts and derivatives are also utilized as traditional medicines. A large proportion of the harvest, especially the bigger specimens, is captured from the wild to meet the demand of the international and domestic market for consumption. Small size individuals are designated for pets.
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The market chain for this species is basically similar to that of other wild-harvested species. Specimens in the wild are captured by hunters. Hunters sell the specimens to small collectors, and the small collectors sell the specimens to larger collectors or to exporters. Hunters can also sell them directly to the exporters. Normally there is no pre-finance involved in the market chain. Transaction is simple, on a cash and carry basis. A. Harvest and Trade for Pets The unusual and unique appearance of A. cartilaginea (Fig. 2) makes hobbyist fond for this species as pets. However, many turtle pet authors (e.g., Flank 1996, Mueller 1998) suggested that this species is not suitable for the beginners. A. cartilaginea can be aggressive if threatened and are capable of biting, thus best to be kept singly or in pair. In addition, they grow fast and require a big place to house them. Fig. 2. Small Amyda cartilaginea sold as pet. Photo by Ani Mardiastuti. Currently all specimens designated for pets are taken from the wild. The quality of the carapace no doubt is crucial for A. cartilaginea as pet. Traders admit that keeping the young of A. cartilaginea in a good condition is difficult, considering that the thickened skin of the soft shell is extremely easy to get scratch and wounded. Moreover, the carapace is susceptible to fungi, causing flaky skin. Hunters are also reluctant to hunt this species for pets, as they need to be extra careful not to injure the delicate shell of A. cartilaginea . Once the shell is scratched, the hunters have to sell the specimen for consumption with a lower price. Capturing juveniles for pet trade is normally done by fish trap, small fish hooks (#8) or by direct capture. The optimum size to be exported is between 12 cm to 15 cm (weighing 0.4 - 0.5 kg). Market actually prefers the smaller specimens, but the traders have to make sure that the juvenile specimens are strong enough to withstand the long transportation and climatic adjustment in the importing countries. B. Harvest and Trade for Consumption Turtles are valued as food and medicines throughout Asia. Softshell turtles are the most sought after species for food because of the palatability and desirability of their meat. In addition, turtle shell is still one of the most common ingredients in traditional Chinese medicines (Pro Wildlife 2000). Indonesia considers as one of the major producer of A. cartilaginea. Major harvest areas of A. cartilaginea for consumption and pet in Indonesia are Kalimantan and Sumatra Island. Although this species is also exist in Java, the population in Java has been decreased and not suitable for commercial harvest anymore. In West Java, Setyobudiandi & Zairion (1997) also mentioned the difficulties in finding this species. In Kalimantan, main production areas are East, South, and West Kalimantan Provinces, while in Sumatra main producers are North Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, and South Sumatra Province. Table 1 present some localities of major harvests in Kalimantan and Sumatra.
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Table 1. Some localities producing Amyda cartilaginea in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Province Localities East Kalimantan Kotabangun, Melak, Bulungan, Grogot, Penajam, Bukit Suharto, Berau, Malinau South Kalimantan Barito Kuala, Ulu Sungai Selatan, Ulu Sungai Utara, Tanah Laut, Kota Baru, Banjar, Tanjung North Sumatra Binjai, Tapanuli, Sibolga, Rantau Prapat, Tanjung Pura, Pakpak, Langkat, Lubuk Pakam, Torgamba, Bilah Hulu, Simpang Kanan, Rantau Selatan Riau Tembilahan, Air Molek, Frensen, Bengkalis, Dumai, Ujung Batu, Tanapan, Natuna, Dobo-Singkep South Sumatra Palembang Lampung Bandar Lampung In Kalimantan, traders and hunters in the field recognize two varieties of A. cartilaginea based on the main habitat of the species. A. cartilaginea inhabit lakes, marshes and other water standing bodies has a smaller marginals and supracaudal part of their carapace (known locally as ‘ pikun ’; Fig. 3), with a brownish to blackish color carapace. They are more sedentary and spend most of their time hiding in the mud. Those inhabit rivers has yellowish and flatter carapace, and a wider parts of pikun . The wider pikun enable them to swim faster against water current, making them more active chasing fishes as prey. Fig. 3. Carapace of Amyda cartilaginea showing ‘pikun’ part. Photo by Mirza D. Kusrini. In rainy seasons (September to January in Kalimantan), especially when rivers and lakes are flooded and water is abundant, A. cartilaginea is more active searching for prey, causing a low harvest during the high water. Hunters capture specimens by placing fish hooks (size #6), with catfish as bait (Fig 4). The captured specimens can be internally wounded due to fish hook, although they did not show any sign of immediate sickness. Internally wounded individuals need to be exported as soon as possible before they die. Other capture technique during high water is by placing a fish trap or net. Fig. 4. Specimens captured by using fish hooks. Fig. 5. Transporting specimens in plastic sacks. Photos by Ani Mardiastuti.
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During dry seasons (February to May) or the beginning of wet seasons (June to August) when the water is low, the species tend to stay quietly in the mud and, therefore, much easier to be hunted. This is the best season to hunt this species. The hunters search the A. cartilaginea within their habitat by knocking down the mud suspected to have turtle with a long stick or bamboo. When the stick hits the carapace of A. cartilaginea beneath the mud and produces a specific sound , hunters dig up the mud and capture the specimen, being careful not to get bitten by A. cartilaginea. This species is a strong biter and capable to badly injure hunter’s fingers. Besides the stick technique, electric current sometimes is also being used, although it is not a common practice due to the hassle of bringing the equipment to the field. During hunting, hunters might also capture a similar species, Malayan Softshell Turtle Dogania subplana . However, this species is not preferred by hunters because of the high mortality during shipment and holding. In Kalimantan, other freshwater turtles that might encounter during the hunt are Malayan Giant Turtle Orlitia borneensis, Asian Leaf Turtle Cyclemis dentata and Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis. By rules, hunters are allowed to harvest specimens weighing less than 5.5 kg or more than 13.5 kg, and leaving the productive individuals for stock in the wild. The record for the biggest captured individual is 140 kg in East Kalimantan, and 105 kg in West Kalimantan. The very big specimen (more than 40 kg), however, is less preferred because of the difficulties in local transportation and air shipment, high fat content, or perhaps also due to the less delicious taste. Such huge specimens usually sold locally. Specimens harvested from the wild are placed in big plastic sacks (Fig 5) and transported from the site of harvest to the collectors, or directly to the holding compound owned by exporters. As many specimens were captured from remote areas (especially in Kalimantan), normally hunters avoid remote areas which need more than eight hours to transport specimens to the collection site. Females carrying eggs, characterized by a higher carapace, are sensitive to rough handling and transportation. Apparently the egg yolks are easily broken in the female’s body during rough handling and transport, and can lead to mortality. In East Kalimantan, the breeding season occurs during September and October, when the rainy season starts. When the stock in the consumer country is abundance or where the export number is reaching the quota given, traders have to suspend their export. During the period of waiting for the next shipment, A. cartilaginea are kept in the holding compound. They can be stocked for up to eight month in a pond of the holding compound. This situation has forced the traders to have knowledge and experience in keeping the species, which may also breed this species during this waiting period. In the holding compound, A. cartilaginea is kept in a pond (sometimes cemented pond), filled in with water, saw dust and peat as a substrate, forming a muddy soil. A. cartilaginea will submerge itself in the muddy soil and stay quietly there. The turtles are fed with fishes, shrimp, crustacean, and sometimes fruits and vegetables. Periodically, when the pond is empty, the substrate need to be sun dried to kill germs, fungi and other unwanted source of diseases, before it can be reused. A. cartilaginea is considered a fast growing turtle species. Traders informed that the increase of body weight is significant through time. Females started to lay eggs when they are about 7 kg in weight or approximately 3 to 4 years old. Mature females can carry up to 60-70 eggs, depend on the body size, although Iskandar (2000) reported up to 40 eggs. Fig. 6. Shipment of Amyda cartilaginea. Photo by Nur Patria Kurniawan.
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A. cartilaginea is tough species to be exported. They can stand one week without any food during handling and shipment. In fact, before being exported, they are deliberately fasted to avoid production of feces in the container during shipment. Prior to be exported, each specimen is weighed to estimate the cost of transportation and to ensure that the size of the exported specimen meet the regulation of less than 5.5 kg or more than 13.5 kg. Exported A. cartilaginea is placed in a wood box (80x60x20 cm) having several compartments, depends on the size of the specimens. Each individual is wrapped in a mesh pocket made of plastic cloth and placed in the compartment equipped with small holes for air circulation (Fig. 6). Mortality is very low during hunting, transportation and holding in collector, except if the individuals that are internally wounded due to fish hooks, or females carrying eggs and experiencing rough transportation resulting in egg rupture in the females’ body. Wrinkle carapace is a sign of sickness and usually follows by unavoidable mortality. Dead specimens still can be utilized for various purposes. Pikun , the most sought part of this species, are sun dried and sold as dried food for soup. The meat can be fed to other carnivore species (e.g., farmed crocodiles), while carapace are powdered and sold for medicines and for making a special jelly. The fat can be extracted to make oil, which is locally popular to tighten facial skin. Some traders admit that quota given to them (depends on the company, varies between 3,246 and 305 heads/year for one company) is less than they expected. Many exporting companies have taken all of their quota limits in August or even as early as in July. During the rest months of the year, they have to refuse specimens offers by hunters or collectors. When the international market is not supplied by A. cartilaginea from Indonesia, Chinese Softshell Turtles Pelodiscus sinensis and the sofshell turtles from USA (i.e., Florida Softshell Turtle Apalone ferox, Spiny Softshell Turtle Apalone spinifera ) might substitute the market. SUSTAINABILITY OF TRADE Softshell turtles play a central role in traditional medicine and are generally regarded as the most palatable nonmarine Chelonians within Southeast Asia (Pro Wildlife 2000). Many authors (e.g., Shepherd 2000, Pro Wildlife 2000) have raised their concerned on the sustainability of trade of various softshell turtles, including A. cartilaginea , due to consumption. The biggest market for turtle consumption is believed to be China, especially in the southern China. Changes in China’s economy have resulted in an increased demand for wildlife, including turtles. Pro Wildlife (2000) reported that the annual consumption of turtles (all species) for China alone is estimated between 12 to 20 million individuals. A. Quota and Its Related Regulation Prior to the inclusion of A. cartilaginea into CITES Appendix II in 2005, export of this species was administered by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Affairs. Although there was still no formal regulation on the trade, as a precautionary measure the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Affairs of Indonesia has already set up a capture quota for this species long before the inclusion of A. cartilaginea in the CITES list. In the early 2000s, the international demand of this species prior to 2003 was not as high as in the past five years and the quotas were set between 9,000 and 18,000 heads. Unfortunately, the record of actual export data with the Ministry seems inaccurate as there is no good mechanism to monitor the export data, causing a big discrepancy between quota and actual export in the export data (Table 2). Following the inclusion of this species in the Appendix II, the export administration was handed over to the CITES Management Authority of Indonesia, c.q. the Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, Ministry of Forestry. As required by CITES, a quota was set accordingly to ensure sustainability of trade and population of this species. The harvest quota in 2005 was set at 30,000 heads, consisted of 90% export quota (27,000 heads) and 10% domestic use (3,000 heads).
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As mentioned previously, A. cartilaginea from Indonesia are mostly designated for export, as pets and for human consumption. Before 2007, the quota was set by the Scientific Authority regardless of the purpose (i.e., consumption or pet). As the quota can easily cause a mixed up for pet traders and consumption traders, beginning 2007 the CITES Authority split the quota for consumption (85%) and for pets (15%). Table 2. Export quota and actual export of Amyda cartilaginea from Indonesia (Source: Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, Ministry of Forestry). Year Export Quota Actual Export (heads) (heads) 2000* 10,000 1,961 2001* 18,000 3,340 2002* 9,000 1,670 2003* 17,000 16,010 2004* 26,775 23,384 2005 27,000 26,666 2006 27,000 26,998 2007 27,000 26,355 (23,000 consumption; 4,000 pets) 2008 25,200 22,469** (21,600 consumption; 3,600 pets * The trade of Amyda cartilaginea under CITES regulation was started in 2005. However, prior to 2004 Indonesia has set up a quota as a precautionary measure ** Data up to mid September 2008 Prior to 2007 there was no size limitation of the individuals exported. Realizing that trade has been highly affected to the most productive size, since 2007 Indonesian CITES Authority initiated a new policy on the size of exported specimens. Basically individuals allowed to be exported are in their low or unproductive size of less than 5 kg and more than 15 kg, with a tolerance of 10%. Therefore, in practice the specimens allow to be exported are those weighing less than 5.5 kg and more than 13.5 kg (Fig. 7). Specimens weighing between 5.5 kg and 13.5 kg are considered productive and do not allow to be harvested for future stock in their natural habitat. Fig. 7. Only specimens of less than 5.5 kg and more than 13.5 kg are allowed to be exported. Photo by Ani Mardiastuti. To ensure that trade of this species would be sustainable, the CITES Authority decided to maintain an alternate cyclical quota, whereby at a certain period (starting in 2008) quota was set at a lower number to allow recovery of the wild population, followed by a higher quota in the proceeding period, then lower again in the next period, and so forth. The nature of the business also encourages consumption traders to harvest big size specimens. Quota of this species is set based on number of individual (heads), but the trade and transportation cost is
7 on weight basis (kg). Therefore, the consumption traders tend to export relatively big sizes of A. cartilaginea to maximize the total weight of exported specimens with a smaller quota number. B. Traders and Their Exports Traders of reptiles and amphibian in Indonesia have created an association called IRATA (Indonesian Reptile and Amphibian Traders Association) since 1991. Initially the members consisted on traders in tannery and finished product. Later on in 1995 pet traders joint the association. Currently IRATA’s membership can be categorized as live reptiles (pets), tannery, and finished product. IRATA now has 18 pet exporter members (IRATA 2008), of which 9 members are listed as A. cartilaginea pet exporters in the year 2008. The export quota was divided among the members by IRATA (Table 3), using the criteria endorsed by CITES Authority. As for the consumption traders/exporters, until today they are not members of IRATA. This is due to the fact that when IRATA was established in 1991, the trade of A. cartilaginea for consumption was administered by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Affairs. When this species was listed in the CITES Appendix in 2005, the entire business of this species was handed over to the Ministry of Forestry, as the CITES Management Authority for Indonesia. Without the existence of the association, quota was distributed directly by the Ministry of Forestry. Currently there are 18 exporter companies of A. cartilaginea for consumption in Indonesia. As for the balance between demand and supply for pet, traders admit that the international demand for pet of A. cartilaginea is more or less balance with the current quota for pet (i.e., 3,600 to 4,000 heads). In the future years, the pet market is expected to be steady. For the consumption market, the demand of this species for the consumption tends to increase over time. Accordingly, the traders prefer to have a higher quota number to fulfill the international demand, while maintaining the stock of natural population through harvest size regulation and employing an alternate cyclical quota, as set by the CITES Authority. C. National Demand The national demand for pet and consumption of A. cartilaginea is very low compare to the export figures. As pet, this species is not popular and very seldom sold in the pet market. As for consumption, A. cartilaginea is popular among Chinese ethnic for soup, known as pi-oh . The pi-oh soup often sold in Jakarta, Balikpapan, Pontianak and Medan, where there are many Chinese community, as well as in Denpasar, where the soup is considered delicacy for tourists (Fig. 8). Pi- oh is believed to increase stamina, as well as functioning as aphrodisiac. Estimation of the national harvest of A. cartilaginea to fulfill the national demand, unfortunately, is not available at this time. Fig. 8. Soup of Amyda cartilaginea being offered in a restaurant in Denpasar, Bali. Photo by Ani Mardiastuti.
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Table 3. Export of Amyda cartilaginea as pet and consumption by all companies in 2006-2008 and export quota for each company in 2008. (Source: Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, Ministry of Forestry). No. Company Name Year Export Quota 2008 2006 2007 2008* (heads) Pet 1 PT Alam Nusantara Jayatama 350 645 323 872 2 CV Silva Patria Lestari 0 0 190 718 3 CV Penta Exomania 250 355 160 620 4 CV Pasundan 0 0 190 523 5 PT Mega Citrindo Indonesia 100 80 118 325 6 FA Hasco 0 35 80 220 7 CV Leo Jaya 0 0 88 142 8 CV Terraria Indonesia 43 133 50 138 9 CV Herpafauna 0 15 15 41 10 UD Labi Perkasa 300 0 0 0 Total for pet 1,143 1,425 1,214 3,599 Consumption 1 CV Agro Asia 5,450 4,525 3,190 3,246 2 UD Halim Jaya 4,774 3,675 2,572 2,617 3 UD Menara Mas 5,250 2,725 2,058 2,094 4 UD Virensah Anugrah 3,225 3,120 2,050 2,086 5 UD Bali Foultry 500 1,100 1,235 1,257 6 CV Inti Mora 1,000 1,370 1,132 1,152 7 PT Marine Indopratama 300 1,170 1,132 1,152 8 UD Usaha Kita 480 1,100 1,030 1,048 9 CV Sabar Berkah 1,000 1,595 988 1,005 10 UD Trijaya Alam Makmur 0 600 720 733 11 UD Gaya Baru 0 500 720 733 12 PT Taruna Perkasa 0 600 720 733 13 UD Abu Demawan 0 500 720 733 14 UD Wijaya Kusuma 0 500 720 733 15 UD Daisa Sagena 0 600 720 733 16 CV Kuis Mora 3,875 750 618 629 17 CV Harapan Sentosa 0 500 600 611 18 Wahidin Aquarium 0 0 300 305 Total for consumption 25,855 24,930 21,225 21,600 Total for consumption and pet 26,998 26,355 22,469 25,200 *up to mid September 2008
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D. Field Studies on Amyda cartilaginea Research and monitoring related to sustainability of A. cartilaginea trade has been conducted in some places in Indonesia. A recent field study of this species was conducted by Oktaviani (2007) in South Sumatra Province, one of the main producers of A. cartilaginea. Data were obtained from a holding compound through a log book of individuals captured during April 2006 to February 2007, following with measurement of samples. The study revealed that the A. cartilaginea was the most captured abundant species (1,013 individuals; 84.28%) compared to other sympatric softshelled turtles, namely Malayan Softshell Turtle Dogania subplana (non-Appendix; 15.31%) and Asian Giant Softshell Turtle Pellochelys cantorii (Appendix II, 0.42%). Individuals of A. cartilaginea captured consisted of juveniles (15%), adult males (36%) and adult females (39%). Apparently more females were caught during April to July 2006, while more males were caught during August 2006 to February 2007, suggesting that breeding season in Sumatra are different than in West Kalimantan, which fall between April to July. A. cartilaginea was found widespread in the province of South Sumatra. Fishers in South Sumatra Province captured this species mostly by using baited fish hooks, placed along muddy rivers, oxbows, and marshes with a water depth of more than 1 m. Individuals found in shallow water usually were captured directly. Measurements of curveline carapace length varied from 10.1 cm to 85.0 cm (average 33.01 cm, std 11.42 cm, n=1,013), weighing 0.1 kg to 44.0 kg per individual (average 4.43 kg, std 4.32 kg, n=1,013). Most samples (75%) were adults having carapace length of >25 cm (Oktaviani 2007). E. Captive Breeding Currently there is no registered company to conduct captive breeding of A. cartilaginea. Attempt to breed this species has been done by some research institutions, traders and individuals in Java, Kalimantan, and Sumatra. There has been some reluctance to breed this species in outside Java Island, as harvesting from the wild is easier, cheaper, and faster compare to setting up a breeding operation. In Belawa Village (Cirebon, West Java; Fig. 9) there is a group of local people who breed this species for tourism, as well as for breeding experiment. Feeding experiments revealed that hatchlings of A. cartilaginea can gain 18.5 g within 2 month. Hatching rate was very low, about 5% (Kusrini et al. 2007). Breeding attempts by traders in Kalimantan and Sumatra in an artificial pond, with a sex ratio of 1 male and 4 female, also showed a low number of egg laid and hatching rate (varies between 5% to 15%). Further research and experiment will be continued by traders, community and research centers, including the Regional Research Center for Freshwater, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Affairs (BBAT 1998).
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Fig. 9. Captive breeding of Amyda cartilaginea in Belawa, West Java, showing various man-made habitat for breeding. Photo by Nuryani Widagti. CONCLUDING REMARKS Indonesia has established various policies to regulate the trade of A. cartilaginea in a sustainable manner. The following are policies and regulations that have been and will be taken: (a) set up a harvest quota, even long before A. cartilaginea was listed in the CITES Appendix II; (b) set a alternate cyclical quota to allow population recovery in the wild; (c) split up the quota into two categories: quota for consumption and for pets; (d) prohibit productive individuals for export by setting up a limit of specimens allowed to be exported, i.e., juveniles of less than 5.5 kg and unproductive individuals of more than 13.5 kg; (e) continue to conduct experiments for breeding operation; (f) conduct various scientific research related to population estimation and harvest sustainability; and (g) urge consumption traders to establish an association to manage the issues related sustainability of trade. Although the population number in the distribution range within Indonesia remains unrevealed at this stage, basically A. cartilaginea is a common species in most areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Population in Java, however, is depleted due to large conversion of habitat into other purposes. Accordingly, harvest should not be done from this island. The vast areas of rivers, swamps, lakes, and other type of wetlands in the eastern parts of Sumatra and in almost all parts of Kalimantan provide a good habitat for this softshell turtle. In addition, this species grows fast and naturally have a high reproductive rate. Trade in this species from the wild at the current quota, coupled with continuous efforts of Indonesia in practicing regulation and law enforcement, would ensure the achievement of sustainable trade.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . The author wishes to thank (in alphabetical order): Andre van Meer, E. Emy Setyo Novitasari, Go Ting Ham, Benny Soetanto, Danny Gunalen, George Tatang Saputra, Halim Jaya, Hellen Kurniati, Herianto, Kris Heryanto, Dr. Mirza D. Kusrini, Mumpuni, Nur Patria Kurniawan, Syarifuddin, and all staff of Directorate of Biodiversity Conservation – Ministry of Forestry for sharing their information and knowledge during the preparation of this document. REFERENCES Asian Turtle Conservation Network. 2006. Species: Amyda cartilaginea. Retrieved on 4 September 2008 from www.asianturtlenetwork.org/field_guide/amyda_cartilaginea.htm . Asian Turtle Trade Working Group. 1999. Conclusions from the Workshop on Trade in Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles in Asia. Report from the Workshop held 1–4 December 1999, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Auliya, M. 2007. An identification guide to the tortoise and freshwater turtles of Bunei Daussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore and Timor Leste. TRAFFIC Southeast Asia. Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. BBAT (Balai Budidaya Air Tawar). 1998. Budidaya labi-labi di Balai Budidaya Air Tawar. Retrieved on 4 September 2008 from http://bbat-sukabumi.tripod.com/labi.html. Engstrom, T. N.; H.B. Shaffer & W.P. McCord. 2004. Multiple data sets, high homoplasy, and the phylogeny of Softshell Turtles (Testudines: Trionychidae). Syst. Biol. 53(5):693–710, 2004. Abstract Only. Ernst, C.H.; R.G.M. Altenburg & R.W. Barbour. 1989. Turtles of the world: Amyda cartilaginea . Retrieved on 5 September 2008 from Flank, L. 1997. The turtle: An owner’s guide to a happy healthy pet. Howell Book House. New York. http:// nlbif.eti.uva.nl/bis/turtles.php?menuentry=soorten&id=210. IRATA. 2008. Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. IRATA. Jakarta. Iskandar, D.T. 2000. Kura-kura dan buaya Indonesia dan Papua Guini. Institut Teknologi Bandung. Bandung, Indonesia. Jensen, K. A. & I. Das. 2008. Dietary observations on the Asian Softshell Turtle ( Amyda cartilaginea ) from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 7(1): 136–141. Abstract Only. Kaplan, M. 1995. Herp care collection: Softshell turtles. Retrieved on 4 September 2008 from www.anapsid.org/softshell.html. Kusrini, M. D.; Y. Wardiatno, A. Mashar, N.Widagti. 2007. Kura - kura Belawa ( Amyda cartilaginea Boddaert 1770). Technical Report submitted to Dinas Perikanan Provinsi Jawa Barat. Institut Pertanian Bogor. Bogor. Mueller, G. 1998. Turtles in the terrarium. TFH Publication, Inc. New Jersey. Oktaviani, D. 2007. Kajian habitat, biologi, dan perdagangan labi-labi (famili: Trionychidae) di Sumatera Selatan dan implikasinya terhadap konservasi labi-labi di masa datang. Master’s Thesis. Program Studi Biologi, Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam, Universitas Indonesia. Jakarta. Pro Wildlife. 2000. The decline of Asian Turtles. Pro Wildlife. Munich, Germany. Samedi & D.T. Iskandar. 2000. Freshwater turtle and tortoise conservation utilization in Indonesia. Chelonian Research Monographs 2:106-111. Setyobudiandi, I & Zairion 1997. Studi habitat dan distribusi penyu air tawar, Amyda cartilaginea di Kabupaten Bogor. Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat. Institut Pertanian Bogor. Abstract. Shepherd, C.R. 2000. Export of live freshwater turtles and tortoises from north Sumatra and Riau, Indonesia : A case study. Chelonian Research Monographs 2:112-119.
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