The species "walking shark" is found in the waters of Raja Ampat and Halmahera

The species "walking shark" is found in the waters of Raja Ampat and Halmahera

A joint study revealed that a number of walking shark species were found in the Raja Ampat Waters, West Papua Province and Halmahera, North Maluku Province. It is not yet known exactly when these species will evolve.
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Based on joint research conducted by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), University of Queensland, Australia, University of Florida, USA, and Conservation International (CI), this walking shark is still in the process of differentiation.
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"Six of the species of walking sharks in the world can be found in Indonesia. In other words, Indonesia is home to walking sharks. These species are endemic so the Government of Indonesia must be proud, and need to ensure that this unique type of shark is protected including its habitat," Fahmi said , one of the writers and researchers on the team.
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It was also stated that the level of Indonesia's marine biodiversity was considered very high. The finding is a good first step for researchers, governments and NGOs in Indonesia to better understand this unique species.
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Another finding in this study is that walking sharks are the last shark species to evolve. They are estimated to have evolved around 9 million years ago. This makes them the youngest shark species because most of the last shark species evolved around 200 million years ago.
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"Through the molecular phylogeny approach, we can estimate when they evolved and investigate the processes that led to the speciation of the process of new species formation. We found that changes in sea level, new coral reef formations, and land play a role," said lead author and researcher from the University of Queensland Dr. Christine Dudgeon.
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The walking shark species in Indonesia was first described in 1824 from the Raja Ampat Islands (H. freycinetti), but in 2008 two walking shark species were described from Kaimana (H.henryi) and Cenderawasih Bay (H. galei).
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Then in 2013, a species of shark walking from Halmahera (H. halmahera) was described. Different from sharks in general, they can walk using their fins. Their limited and isolated habitat is very vulnerable to threats such as overfishing.
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"Keep in mind that this threat does not only come from activities on the coast. But also from the mainland such as plastic waste, waste from factories, and uncontrolled and planned development," said Senior Director of Marine Conservation International Program Victor Nikijuluw
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"These things will damage coral reefs which are important habitats where sharks walk all their lives," he added. He suggested that immediate integrated conservation efforts be made between land and sea to ensure the survival of this endemic species.
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The new findings are expected to make more shark species to enter the "International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List". In addition, regions in Indonesia that have advanced marine tourism such as Raja Ampat and West Manggarai (East Nusa Tenggara) are also committed to making their marine areas a shark and stingray, taking into account the high interest of tourists to dive with sharks and rays.