Indonesia develops new conservation strategy for whale sharks
Whale sharks inhabiting tropical and subtropical waters, including Indonesian waters, are known to have biological characteristics that are vulnerable to threats, such as slow growth, low fecundity, and a long maturity age.
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is evaluating the 2021-2025 National Action Plan (RAN) for Whale Shark Conservation and developing a new strategy for the conservation and management of this protected species for the 2026-2029 period.
The ministry's Director of Species and Genetic Conservation, Sarmintohadi, said that whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are a fully protected species and included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and CITES appendices. According to him, whale shark protection is not merely about species conservation but also related to the health of marine ecosystems and food security.
Whale shark conservation governance must be improved with a more systematic strategy, particularly, emergency response during whale shark stranding and sustainable whale shark tourism activities.
The animal inhabiting tropical and subtropical waters, including Indonesian waters, is known to have biological characteristics that are vulnerable to threats, such as slow growth, low fecundity, and a long maturity age.
Several locations in Indonesia such as Cenderawasih Bay, Kaimana, Saleh Bay, Gorontalo, Probolinggo, and the Derawan Islands have become important aggregations of young whale sharks, supporting migration and feeding behaviour. These are key habitats for the Indo-Pacific whale shark population and gives it a global responsibility for conserving this charismatic species.
During the 2021-2025 period, an average of 20 whale sharks were recorded stranded./.
