From August 29 to 30 MantaWatch attended a data validation workshop in Jakarta to identify gaps and conservation priorities for Indonesia’s sharks and rays. The workshop, hosted by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), took place at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF).
Several government agencies and NGOs attended the workshop, including the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), Conservation International (CI), Manta Trust and other organisations that are working to improve the sustainable management of sharks and rays in Indonesia.
Participants reviewed published data and expert opinions about Indonesia’s sharks and rays to identify priority habitats, species and threats as well as knowledge gaps. While the availability of data on Indonesia’s sharks and rays has improved in recent years, nonetheless participants identified the remaining challenges of correct taxonomic identification of species in the field and the shortage of data from Indonesia’s widespread small-scale fisheries. Participants also emphasised the importance of applying a precautionary approach and ensuring that data limitations do not inhibit solutions or actions from being pursued.
From a personal perspective, I was extremely encouraged to see the attention that sharks and rays are now receiving in Indonesia. When MantaWatch began working in Indonesia in 2010, research and management on this group of species was extremely limited, with a shortage of trained professionals in this field. Seven years later the change is dramatic, and includes MMAF launching a National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks and Rays in 2016, and a dramatic increase in the number of organisations working on related issues, as evidenced by the wide range of participants at this workshop.
Several MantaWatch Alumni were championing shark and ray conservation at this national workshop
For me, one of the highlights of this workshop was catching up with a number of MIP Alumni. These Alumni are now championing shark and ray conservation initiatives in Indonesia for leading organisations, including WCS, WWF, the Manta Trust and MMAF.
This workshop was a great opportunity to bring together the many organisations now working on shark and ray sustainability in Indonesia, and to define clear priorities and next steps. I look forward to working together to achieve these targets of the coming years.
