BENOA ~ Villagers living around Benoa Harbor have signed a commitment to preserve the sea turtle population in the area, said officials on Tuesday.

At a ceremony attended by Forestry Minister MS Ka’ban, the residents presented 25 sea turtles to be released into the sea.

Head of Tanjung Benoa village Nyoman Wana Putra said that villagers were eager to present a better image to outsiders – as people who respected the environment and not those that destroyed it by eating sea turtles.

Putra added that village officials would soon create a set of rules that would allow sea turtles to be used only during religious ceremonies.

Minister Ka’ban said he appreciated the work of the villagers, adding that their assistance in the preservation of sea turtles would help to halt the decline in their dwindling numbers.