Indonesian waters contain six of the seven species of marine turtle in the world. All six are protected by law, but not all nesting sites are within protected areas. The coastal area of West Java is known as an important nesting site for four species with beaches falling within protected areas, contracted areas (Pangumbahan beach) and an unprotected area - Cipatujah, some eight hours drive south from Jakarta. This is an area at an early stage of development for tourism, where the turtles face threats from egg poaching, shrimp trawling and habitat destruction: however local interviews have revealed concern for the future of marine turtles in the area.

Working through ALAMI, a non-governmental organisation established in 1994, the team will work with the Cipatujah communities to provide more public information about the turtles, through an information centre. This will discourage un-environmentally friendly companies from contracting the beach, and may complement efforts to develop the area as an eco-tourism site. It is hoped that by creating a success story on community-based marine turtle conservation management, this will increase public awareness especially within local government and the company that has contracted Pangumbahan beach.