Protection, policies, prisoners and prosecutions linked to nautilus shells in traditional handicrafts

In the 1980s a novel handicraft was established in the city of Mataram on the island of Lombok, Indonesia, using nautilus shells inlays in wooden objects and furniture. The ‘traditional’ motives initially were simple but over time became very complex resulting in furniture sets containing 1000s of shell pieces requiring weeks to complete. This industry expanded and dozens of shops and wholesale traders produce, sell and export handicrafts and furniture. The industry developed without considering national legislation and international agreements; nautilus is a protected species and export requires CITES permits. Local governments promote nautilus shells inlay handicrafts and furniture as ‘traditional and uniquely Lombok’ to domestic and international buyers. The West Lombok penitentiary runs a rehabilitation project for prisoners, whereby inmates are taught the art of making nautilus shell inlay handicrafts and furniture. The penitentiary is now one of its larger producers. Surveys in 2022 to 2025 reveal widespread availability of these handicrafts and furniture; we estimate that annually ~10,000 chambered nautilus shells are needed to meet the demand. Shops, including ones at international airports, offer these handicrafts to international tourists, and traders showed evidence of (illegal) export of furniture to Europe and the USA. The sale of these types of handicrafts, including their export, continues with impunity, and there is no evidence of confiscations, arrests or prosecution for trading protected nautilus shells in this manner. Reflecting on our observations it is evident that national legal protection and international trade regulations are in direct conflict with local policies and sale promotions.