In this blog post Chiara Bragagnolo, a post-doc at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), discusses their highlights of the Research Article ‘Exploring sociodemographic and cultural characteristics of sea turtle take and use to support effective conservation strategies in Indonesia‘ that they recently handled as an Associate Editor.

Female Green Turtle returning to the ocean after laying eggs – Credit: Adela Hemelikova

Across the world, countless species are used, traded, and consumed by people for food, medicine, ornamentation, spiritual practices, and cultural traditions. From bushmeat in Central Africa to shark fins in East Asia, or pangolin scales and exotic birds in global wildlife markets, the use of wild animals and their byproducts remains deeply embedded in many societies. For millions of people, these practices are not only cultural or symbolic, they are also tied to livelihoods, nutrition, and identity.

However, this close relationship between humans and wildlife often sits at the crossroads of conservation and development challenges. When wildlife use becomes unsustainable, it can accelerate species decline and threaten fragile ecosystems. Conversely, overly restrictive conservation policies that fail to account for social and cultural realities can marginalise local communities and undermine long-term stewardship of nature.

Understanding why and how people use wildlife is therefore essential for designing conservation strategies that are both effective and equitable. This means looking beyond ecological indicators and protection targets to explore the social, economic, and cultural contexts that shape human-wildlife interactions.

In this light, the paper “Exploring sociodemographic and cultural characteristics of sea turtle take and use to support effective conservation strategies in Indonesia” integrates social science perspectives into wildlife conservation, examining how social and cultural factors influence sea turtle use in Sumatra (Indonesia), a region where these species hold both ecological and cultural significance.

The researchers set out to understand what drives people to take or use turtles and their products, distinguishing between turtle take (the direct removal of turtles or their eggs from the wild) and turtle use (the utilisation of turtles or their by-products), and exploring the motivations behind these practices, whether subsistence, cultural, medicinal, or religious.

What they found reveals a complex picture. While ceremonial and ritual hunting has become relatively rare, cultural and religious traditions still influence how turtles are valued and used, whether for meat, eggs, or decorative purposes. People’s age, occupation, religion, and education all shape their relationship with turtles, but practices and beliefs differ widely from place to place, a reflection of the multifaceted nature of Indonesia’s cultural diversity.

Crucially, the study highlights that one-size-fits-all conservation measures are unlikely to succeed. Instead, strategies must be locally tailored, integrating religious and cultural traditions, recognising economic realities, and working in partnership with Indigenous and local communities. By doing so, conservation efforts can become not only more effective but also more socially just.

By uncovering these social and cultural nuances, the study reminds us that protecting sea turtles is not simply about enforcement, conservation marketing or awareness raising campaigns; it is about deeply understanding the people who share their coasts and traditions, and finding ways to align cultural values, community well-being, and biodiversity protection.