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New guide to sharks and rays of Indonesia
Bali catfish
28 February 2007
At least 20 new species have been discovered in the first comprehensive
survey of Indonesia's sharks and rays since the 1850s.
The five-year survey of catches at local fish markets provided
the first detailed description of Indonesia's shark and ray fauna
- information which is critical to their management in Indonesia
and Australia.
Based on the survey's findings, the Australian Centre for International
Agricultural Research has published a 330-page, full-colour, bilingual
'field guide' entitled: Economically Important Sharks and Rays
of Indonesia.
"Indonesia has the most diverse shark and ray fauna and the
largest shark and ray fishery in the world, with reported landings
of more than 100 000 tonnes a year," says one of the guide's
co-authors, Dr William White of CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research. "Before
this survey, however, there were vast gaps in our knowledge of
sharks and rays in this region.
"Good taxonomic information is critical to managing shark
and ray species, which reproduce relatively slowly and are extremely
vulnerable to over-fishing. It provides the foundation for estimating
population sizes, assessing the effects of fishing and developing
plans for fisheries management and conservation."
The survey represents the first in-depth look at Indonesia's sharks
and rays since Dutch scientist Pieter Bleeker described more than
1100 fish species in 1842-1860. Many of Bleeker's proposed new
shark and ray species were rejected by his peers who were skeptical
of such high levels of diversity.
After more than 250 days 'in the field', Dr White and his colleagues
agreed with Bleeker's findings and uncovered further taxonomic
riches.
From 2001-2006, they photographed and sampled more than 130 species
on 22 survey trips to 11 ports across Indonesia. More than 800
specimens were lodged in reference collections at the Museum Zoologicum
Bogoriense at Cibinong, Java, and the Australian National Fish
Collection at Hobart.
Six of their discoveries have now been formally described. These
include two species found only in Bali: the Bali Catshark and Jimbaran
Shovelnose Ray, and one found only in West Papua: the Hortle's
Whipray.
The survey was part of a broader project working towards improved
management of sharks and rays in Indonesia and Australia. The project
documented the value of sharks and rays to the small-scale fishing
sector, helped to develop a National Plan of Action for sharks
and rays and enhanced Indonesian capacity in fisheries research.
Participants were: CSIRO, Murdoch University, Queensland Department
of Primary Industries and Fisheries and Indonesia's Research Centre
for Capture Fisheries and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences.
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Last updated
28/02/07
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