Based on the Government Regulation No.7 of 1999 about the conservation of flora and fauna, all turtle species in Indonesia including hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbicata) is protected species. This statement means that the species is forbidden to trade both alive and dead or its parts, including its carapace and eggs. Killing and injuring protected animals is also forbidden. This regulation is base on the act no. 5 of 1990 about the conservation of nature resource and its ecosystem.
Hawksbill has been protected since 1992 by the release of Decree of Ministry of Forestry No. 882/kpts-II/1992. While green turtle only protected 7 years later. The protection of hawksbill and other species of sea turtles were not without any reasons. In Government Regulation of 1999 article no. 5 explains about the criteria of determining a
Species of animals being protected are:
“A species of flora and fauna is obligatory determining into a protected group if it has fulfilled the criteria:
a.    having small population;
b.    the sharp decline on the individual number in nature;
c.    limited distribution (endemic)”
Sanction for the doer of catching, trading and the keeping of protected animals has clearly regulated in act no.5 of 1990, is charged to 5 years prison and fined up to 100 million rupiah.
But the animal protection law is made not only for paper notes but it is obligatory. This implementation works stagnant. Although in 2001 the government has act strictly in combating the turtle trade in Bali, but in several other places such as Yogyakarta and Makassar, trade of souvenir made from hawksbill happen openly and widely. In Bali, trade of turtle also is not completely stopped. It becomes the government duty to eliminate turtle trade before it is too late, because all aspects are obvious over the law. Trade on turtle and their part is forbidden illegal activities.