Identification training supported for sustainable management of sharks and rays

Press Release

For immediate release

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF), Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have joined efforts to build on existing systems and expertise to further develop capacity for shark and ray conservation in the Coral Triangle (CT) region.

CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat Interim Executive Director Dr. Hendra Yusran Siry noted the importance of the training, which aligns with one of the goals of the CTI-CFF Regional Plan of Action: improving the status of threatened species.

Head of Marine and Fisheries Department of Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB), Lalu Hamdi, highlighted that the NTB provincial government has developed several initiatives to ensure a healthy ocean and prosperous fishers.

Dr. Noviar Andayani, WCS Country Director–Indonesia Program, shared that one tool to ensure the sustainability of shark and ray fisheries is comprehensive landing data monitoring, which provides accurate information for estimating stocks and fishing pressure.

Identification training supported for sustainable management of sharks and rays

Lombok, Indonesia, 26 February 2019. Studies reveal that sharks and rays are facing increasing population decline, and up to a quarter of species are threatened with extinction. Overfishing is the main threat, while insufficient data exacerbates the problem.

To address this, CTI-CFF, MMAF, and WCS are conducting a three-day regional training on shark and ray identification for relevant government institutions in the CT region. The training aims to enforce species protection laws, regulate trade, ensure sustainable use, and comply with national and international regulations.

Dr. Hendra Yusran Siry emphasized that the training is aligned with the CTI-CFF Regional Plan of Action and is essential for raising awareness and sharing knowledge on threats to shark and ray species.

Lalu Hamdi noted that traditional shark and ray fisheries in NTB have been a key livelihood since the mid-1940s. “Shark and ray fisheries are an integral part of many fishing communities, but we want the ocean to be healthy and fishers to be prosperous. We have reserved 241,051 ha (8.5%) of our marine area for conservation, developed an action plan for shark and ray management, disseminated information on protected species, and are promoting shark and ray tourism in Saleh Bay.”

Mr. Andi Rusandi, MMAF Director of Marine Conservation and Biodiversity, stated that shark and ray conservation has been a ministry priority since 2015. The diversity of species presents challenges for management and law enforcement, especially distinguishing protected from non-protected species. The Ministry is finalizing a draft ministerial decree prohibiting shark capture in marine protected areas covering over 20 million hectares. “We have also imposed full protection for whale sharks, manta rays, and sawfish, and implemented the National Action Plan for Sharks and Rays Conservation and Management 2016–2020,” he added.

Dr. Noviar Andayani added that WCS is working with the government to strengthen shark and ray fisheries management and enhance national capacity to implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). “Globally, WCS commits to establishing science-based, comprehensive shark management regimes, including in the CT area. By 2030, WCS expects the conservation status of 75% of the world’s sharks and rays to improve, with declines slowed and extinctions prevented.”

She also shared that comprehensive landing monitoring provides accurate data on stocks and fishing pressure, offering a solid basis for policymakers to manage shark and ray populations.

The training is held in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, with participants from all six Coral Triangle member countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste. (Janet Rosalie Anne H. Polita)

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About Coral Triangle & Marine Biodiversity

• The Coral Triangle (CT) region is located along the equator at the confluence of the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, covering waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Solomon Islands. Although it covers only 1.6% of the planet’s oceanic area, the CT is considered the global epicenter of marine life abundance and diversity, with 76% of all known coral species, 37% of all known coral reef fish species, and 53% of the world’s coral reefs.
• Sharks and rays are ecologically and economically important species. Ecologically, sharks are one of the most ancient, widespread, and diverse clades of predators. They serve as apex predators and mesopredators, maintaining functional and productive ocean ecosystems. Economically, sharks and rays provide income and food security for many fishing communities.

About CTI-CFF

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is a multilateral partnership of six countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste (CT6). The CT6 countries work together to sustain extraordinary marine and coastal resources by addressing critical issues such as food security, climate change, and marine biodiversity.

CTI-CFF was formally established during the Leaders’ Summit in 2009 with approval from the CT6 countries. The initiative adopted the CTI Regional Plan of Action (CTI RPOA), a strategic action plan with five goals:

1. Designation of effectively managed seascapes.
2. Application of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.
3. Establishment of a fully functional marine protected area system.
4. Strengthening climate change adaptation and resilience.
5. Improving the status of threatened marine species.

About Regional Secretariat

The Regional Secretariat (RS) of CTI-CFF is mandated to promote regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and learning among the six member countries of the Coral Triangle. The RS coordinates and monitors the implementation of the CTI RPOA and supports member countries in achieving the initiative’s objectives.