At least four sea turtles have been found dead amid piles of rubbish on Bali beaches in recent months, as concerns mount that ocean pollution may have caused their demise.
Yesterday, the carcass of two dead sea turtles, both identified as members of the olive ridley species, were found on Kedonganan Beach in Badung regency.
“Both were found amid piles of rubbish on the beach,” Permana Yudiarso, who heads the Coastal and Marine Resources Management (BPSPL) in Denpasar, said.
“In total we have found four until now. Two others were found along Kuta and Canggu beaches [in December],” he added.
It is suspected that the turtles died after eating plastic waste, but officials say they cannot confirm this as they have yet to perform necropsy. However, Permana agreed that waste was an issue because sea turtles cannot differentiate whether they are food or otherwise.
The ongoing wet season brings with it tides of rubbish, and the sight of trash washing up on Bali’s beaches have unfortunately become an expected occurrence.
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