West Papua Provincial Government Partners in Global Initiative for Recovery of the Leatherback Shark Population in Raja Ampat

The Regional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA) of West Papua Province is working with stakeholders to restore the leatherback shark population in the waters of the Raja Ampat Islands. Seven leatherback shark eggs that are genetically compatible with the population in Raja Ampat arrived in Sorong on 10 August 2022, and are currently in the process of being reared at a local hatchery until finally being released into the Conservation Area in the Raja Ampat Archipelago Waters to increase the population. endangered species as part of a global effort to conserve the species.

The eggs were previously kept in captive aquariums overseas as part of a collective effort globally which is the first initiative

in the world, and has been coordinated intensively with various stakeholders at the national and provincial levels, including the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). This effort is supported by ReShark, an international conservation effort made up of more than 60 academic institutions, zoos and aquariums, nonprofits, and government agencies dedicated to restoring shark and ray species worldwide.

The conservation effort was named the “StAR Project (Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery)”, after the scientific name of the leatherback shark (Stegostoma tigrinum). The project was officially started about three years ago by a group consisting of the national government, provincial government, aquarium management agencies, conservation NGOs, educational institutions in Indonesia. In May 2021, the Provincial Government of West Papua strengthened its commitment by holding a high-level meeting that brought together various stakeholders to support this project including KKP, Ministry of Research and Technology/National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (now BRIN), NGOs, Project StAR Steering Committee, and Special Staff to the President of the Republic of Indonesia Billy Mambrasar.

Government's Strong Commitment

The StAR project would not have been possible without strong leadership and commitment from the Government of Indonesia, particularly West Papua Province as a province for sustainable development. The Provincial Government of West Papua is a global leader in developing effective marine conservation areas, as well as shark and ray sanctuaries that will preserve these young leatherback sharks when they are released into the Conservation Area in the waters of the Raja Ampat Islands. Support from leaders and government agencies in Indonesia has contributed greatly to the success of advancing this new conservation strategy.

Acting Governor of West Papua Komjen Pol (Purn) Drs. Paulus Waterpauw, M.Si emphasized that the Leatherback Shark Population Recovery Effort (StAR Project) is a form of commitment from the West Papua Provincial Government in implementing the Sustainable Development Policy in West Papua Province. “This effort to recover the leatherback shark population (StAR Project) is a form of commitment from the West Papua Provincial Government in implementing the Sustainable Development Policy in West Papua Province according to Perdasus Number 10 of 2019. This project in the long term will not only support ecotourism activities in West Papua but will also be a source of support for ecotourism activities in West Papua. part of capacity building for youth at the project site. The West Papua Provincial Government will continue to support this activity with all the authority and capability it has and will remain open to cooperating with the ReShark Consortium and hopes not only for the Leatherback Shark but also for other threatened animals, both terrestrial and aquatic. This is a matter of pride for all of us because the success of this egg delivery trial coincided with a special moment for the Indonesian nation, as a gift on the 77th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia”.

Professor Charlie D. Heatubun as Head of BRIDA West Papua Province who is in charge of this StAR project, said that this project is an innovative approach to restore the leatherback shark as an important species in Raja Ampat which is the heart of the world's biodiversity. “This project demonstrates the West Papua Provincial Government's strong commitment to maintaining environmental health and species protection, so that it can provide sustainable economic benefits for the people of West Papua through sustainable tourism. As a charismatic species, efforts to restore the shark population will stimulate the well-developed diving tourism in Raja Ampat. Through collaboration with various national and international partners, the StAR project is expected to provide exciting research and innovation opportunities for young researchers in West Papua.”

Efforts to rebuild the leatherback shark population is a national agenda in order to preserve this endangered species which also has economic and ecological importance. Shark conservation, including the conservation of leatherback sharks has been carried out at the national level through the national action plan for shark and ray conservation, as well as the management of the West Waigeo Islands Conservation Area and the Surrounding Sea, and the Raja Ampat Islands and Surrounding Sea Conservation Areas in West Papua Province which are important habitats. for this species.

“This project is a multi-stakeholder collaboration to restore the leatherback shark population, especially in the waters of the Raja Ampat Islands. In addition to having an impact on conservation, this activity will also open up opportunities for researchers and academics to study various aspects including biology, ecology, cultivation techniques, and marine ecosystem health. This model of leatherback shark restoration is the first time in Indonesia and even in the world, so it is hoped that it can raise Indonesia's profile about conservation efforts and scientific innovations related to leatherback sharks in the international eye,” said Dr. Fahmi, Associate Researcher from the Oceanographic Research Center, BRIN.

As the manager of the national conservation area in Raja Ampat, Imam Fauzi, Head of the Kupang National Water Conservation Area (BKKPN) Directorate General of Marine Spatial Management of the KKP, explained that the leatherback shark is one of the shark species that is still often caught and traded in Indonesia. Globally, the leatherback shark is designated as an endangered species. “The establishment of Conservation Areas in the Waters is one of our efforts to preserve and restore the health of aquatic ecosystems and their species. Therefore, the conservation of leatherback sharks will support the restoration of their populations in the West Waigeo Archipelago Conservation Area and the Surrounding Seas, which in turn will have a spillover effect on the entire aquatic ecosystem in the Raja Ampat Islands.”

In recent decades, a number of accredited zoos and aquarium management agencies have successfully bred leatherback sharks ex-situ, with the aim of developing a sustainable population. This dedication and scientific management enables these institutions to return leatherback shark eggs to the wild in hopes of restoring the population.

“The arrival of the seven leatherback shark eggs in Indonesia is the result of years of hard work from hundreds of experts from 13 countries – all with the common goal of bringing the leatherback shark back to its historic record in Raja Ampat,” said Dr. Erin Meyer, Program Director for Conservation and Partnerships at the Seattle Aquarium and Chair of the StAR Project Steering Committee. "This is just the beginning. This innovative model for shark conservation efforts is a world first, and we plan to apply what we learn to restore the world's other endangered shark and ray species."

Delivery of Leatherback Shark Eggs Carefully

Leatherback shark eggs arrive from SEA LiFE Sydney Aquarium in Australia – one of four zoological facilities in the world to be officially invited to be a leatherback shark breeder for this project. Prior to being selected, the aquarium carried out a series of DNA tests to ensure that the leatherback shark to be developed was compatible with the leatherback shark population in Raja Ampat, provided detailed information on the risk of disease, and was committed to supporting appropriate leatherback shark breeding.

“Our veterinary care team works closely with fellow experts to ensure the safety and viability of eggs in transit to Indonesia,” said Laura Simmons, Regional Curator Australia/New Zealand with Merlin Entertainments based at SEA LiFE Sydney Aquarium. "This effort really underscores the relevance of zoos and aquariums, as well as our collective mission to help protect and safeguard species."

Upon delivery of the eggs, the team of experts at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium carefully packs each egg in a container with 16 liters of oxygenated water, seals it tightly with a rubber band, and places it safely in a sealed and labeled shipping box. The seven boxes have a total weight of 140 kg. This packaging method ensures the safe passage of eggs as well as the quality of water required for transit for up to 40 hours.

Participation of Local Partners

The local community in Raja Ampat has built a nursery specially designed for the care of leatherback shark eggs and chicks. This leatherback shark life support system utilizes the surrounding waters for habitat for leatherback shark eggs and chicks. A team of local people was also given training at the Jakarta Aquarium and Safari in March 2022 to learn shark handling, breeding and care techniques – the newly trained aquarist will care for leatherback shark eggs and chicks.

“The StAR project brought together conservation and community leaders in Indonesia from the start” said Nesha Ichida, StAR project manager in Indonesia. “By concentrating local expertise and building capacity for local leadership, we ensure that the team considers local knowledge, needs and perspectives in decision making to ensure the project is viable, effective and enduring.”

With the leadership of partners in Indonesia, the StAR project – which is part of the ReShark initiative – is working with communities in Raja Ampat to ensure the project is sustainable in the long term by sharing resources, building local capacity and jointly creating opportunities. public education regarding the leatherback shark species.

Follow up plan

The delivery of these eggs is the first of two planned deliveries before the end of the year. When the eggs hatch, the eggs will be cared for by specially trained Indonesian aquaristers. The leatherback shark will continue to develop in the hatchery until it reaches at least 70 cm and 1 kg, and demonstrates the ability to forage independently. Experts will carry out an assessment of their health, mark them for follow-up monitoring, and release them into a Conservation Area in the waters of the Raja Ampat Islands.

SOURCE: https://www.siaranindonesia.com/baca/20220819/government-provinsi-papua-barat-bermitra-dalam-inisiatif-global-pemulihan-populasi-hiu-belimbing-di-raja-ampat.html