A significant step forward in global whale shark research.

According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Indonesia, conservation scientists believe that the discovery of a whale shark calf, approximately four months old, in Saleh Bay, West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, is a significant step forward in the global study of whale sharks.

Edy Setyawan, a conservation expert from the Indonesian Institute of Cartilaginous Fish, emphasized that the sighting of baby whale sharks in the wild is an extremely rare phenomenon.

Each new discovery contributes to the global scientific data, providing crucial clues about the breeding grounds and early life stages of the world's largest shark species.

The conservation expert also stated that Saleh Bay is considered a potential breeding ground for whale sharks, but more scientific evidence is needed before it can be officially confirmed as a breeding or nursery area for this species.

Previously, in August 2024, fishermen in eastern Saleh Bay reported five sightings of small whale sharks, estimated to be about 1.2–1.5 meters long.

On September 6, 2024, a baby whale shark, approximately 1.35–1.45 meters long, was accidentally caught in a fishing net. Fishermen temporarily placed it in a Styrofoam box filled with seawater to allow researchers to measure and determine its exact size before releasing it back into the sea.

This is the first confirmed sighting of a baby whale shark in Indonesia, one of the smallest free-swimming whale sharks ever recorded in the world.

This finding reinforces the hypothesis that Saleh Bay may have served as an early breeding and nursery area for whale sharks, thereby highlighting the area's unique ecological value for the species' early life stages.

Scientists also highly appreciate the role of local communities, especially fishermen, in monitoring and providing information, thereby making a significant contribution to the research and conservation of the endangered whale shark species.

Conservation Indonesia (KI) and its partners are working with local authorities to promote the establishment of Indonesia's first whale shark-focused Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Saleh Bay.

Mochamad Iqbal Herwata Putra, senior director of KI, said the discovery of the whale shark cub strengthens the scientific basis for the official protection of the area.

According to experts, whale shark pups in Saleh Bay are facing multiple threats, including the risk of becoming entangled in fishing gear, deteriorating water quality due to coastal activity, and increased ship density.

Ensuring early survival rates are considered crucial to the future of the global whale shark population.

In the future, KI plans to expand its monitoring programs, strengthen community-based reporting systems, and promote plans to establish marine protected areas to safeguard whale sharks while supporting sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/buoc-tien-quan-important-trong-nghien-cuu-ca-map-voi-toan-cau-post1083951.vnp