MANAGING MEGAFAUNA IN INDONESIA : CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES By Dharmadi Agency for Marine and Fisheries Research Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Republic of Indonesia
MEGAFAUNA I. SEA TURTLES II. DUGONG S III. MARINE MAMMALS IV. ELASMOBRANCHII
INTRODUCTION Marine megafauna are in serious threat of extinction in the world, including in Indonesia Many of these species for instance sea turtles, marine mammals (cetacean and dugongs), sharks and rays were declining populations could severely damage the ecological equilibrium of the world s oceans. Marine megafauna (cetacean, dugongs and turtles) are often not the intended targets of hunting but populations are instead being depleted by fisheries bycatch and habitat. Need for conservation interventions, such as raising the awareness of local peoples. Need a strategy and management plan of action
I. SEA TURTLE In the world, there are seven sea turtle species, six of which live in Indonesia: Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus), and loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). According to the Government Regulation (PP) number 7 year 1999 concerning the Preservation of Plant and Wildlife, all sea turtles in Indonesia have been fully protected. According to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna), all sea turtles are listed in the Appendix I meaning that the international trade of the species for commercial purpose is prohibited. IUCN also enlists the hawksbill turtle as critically endangered. While the green turtle, olive ridley, loggerhead sea turtle are categorized as threatened.
CHALLENGES The green turtle is used excessively (over-exploitation) by the people of Indonesia. They were killed for meat. Bali is the largest consumer of sea turtles. They use the turtle in their traditional ceremonies. Thousands of turtles have been killed to satisfy the market demand in Bali. Excessive coastal development has reduced habitat for nesting sea turtles. Catching the turtle to take eggs, meat, skin and shells has made the turtle population decreases Disease, caused by bacteria, viruses, or because of pollution of aquatic environment.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE Increasing the temperature causes changes in the composition of the turtle nests hatched turtle sex. Raising sea levels causing sea turtle nests inundated causing damage to turtle eggs. The extreme weather and changes in flow patterns can lead to damage to nesting habitat. The impact of ocean acidification will affect the marine food chain. The loss of nesting beaches due to sea level rise (Fish, M.R, et al.,, 2005 in Bonaire - Carribean, Baker, J.D. et al.,, 2006 in North-western Hawaiian Islands and Asaad, I., 2009)
OPPORTUNITIES I. Development of sea turtle nesting activity in several locations in Indonesia II. III. IV. Conduct a study the modification of fishing gear to reduce by-catch Conduct a study identifying the migration path of turtles; Habitat rehabilitation
II. DOGONGS Dugong dugon (Appendix I) : Fully protected (1999) Its population is shrinking quickly and rarely can be found again in their natural habitat. Reported In 1970 the population reached 10,000 individu and 1994 estimated only about 1,000 individu. A factor destruction of seagrass in Indonesia contributed to the increasing threat to the decreasing population of Dugong. The extent of seagrass in Indonesia is estimated at 31,000 km2. However, the data available is 25 752 ha of seagrass found in 29 locations in Indonesia (LIPI,2016).
CHALLENGES Population? Dugong population until now could not be ascertained due to the limited studies conducted population status. By-catch Interaction dugong habitats and fishing grounds is difficult to avoid. In some cases it was often reported dugong tangled in a gill net fishermen used to catch fish. Habitat degradation Seagrass habitat destruction due to human activity is suspected as one cause of the declining population of dugong in Indonesia. Degradation of habitat impact on reducing of food availability, such as sand mining, coastal reclamation, creation of coastal structures and sedimentation due to deforestation.
OPPORTUNITIES Necessary data and scientific information to support determining policy and formulate a longterm management of Dugongs and their habitats in Indonesia Encourages regions to initiate the seagrass ecosystems as a key habitat for Dugong to be a Aquatic Conservation Area Regional Identification of the existence and habitat of dugongs and determination of conservation areas Habitat rehabilitation of dugongs
III. MARINE MAMMALS RESEARCH ACTIVITIES : 1. Survey and population monitoring status : diversity and population. Ecologies survey was conducted in east Kalimantan (Kreb, 2007, Kreb and Budiono, 2005b, Kreb and Budiono, 2005a; Kreb and Budiono, 2012) Papua (kepala Burung) : (Ender et al., 2014) Sulawesi (Komodo National Park ) : (Kahn et al., 2000) East Nusa Tenggara (Yanuar et al., 2011). Bali (Lovina) : (Mustika, 2011)
CHALLENGES (1) Human activities : By-catch : two-thirds of cetaceans stranded in East Kalimantan due to tangled nets (Kreb et al., 2013), Purse seine is the main cause of 75% bycatch in Adonara (Mustika et al., 2014); Fish bombing : tuna fishing using bombs can cause disoriented and trapped cetaceans gill nets (Todd et al., 1996) Catches directly for consumption : hunting whales and dolphins to local consumption such as in a village north-east Lamakera and solor East Nusa Tenggara (Barne, 1996, Barne 2005, Mustika, 2006).
CHALLENGES (2) Ecotourism (see, swim together, feeding) : feeding cetaceans can give bad impact for biota, for instance in the case of the relationship between mother and child (Mann and Kemps, 2003) and can changed the natural behavior. Climate change : Climate change is causing increased drought and flooding and impact can reduce the area of habitat for freshwater dolphins (Reeves et al., 2003, Kreb et al., 2010). Damage to coral reefs from global warming could also cause a decrease in the abundance of fish and the presence of dolphins that depend on coral reefs, such as the common bottlenose dolphin Indo-Pacific (Kreb and Boediono, 2015).
OPPORTUNITIES I. Research on behavior of marine mammals as a result of the impact of climate change II. III. IV. Identification of the development of alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on the population of cetaceans Conduct a study identifying the National Cetacean migration corridors; Developing of the MPA (Marine Protected Areas) V. Development of information and education center of cetaceans
IV. ELASMOBRANCHII 1. WHALE SHARK 2. MANTA RAY
1. WHALE SHARK Highly migratory species, and Indonesian waters is a region of the whale shark migration path, so that this species often stranded and occasionally are trapped nets of fishermen. Decree of the MMAF No.18/MEN- KP/2013 Sighting of whale sharks in some locations have become destinations tourism in several locations in Indonesia; such as in national parks bay Cenderawasih, West Papua, Gorontalo, South Sulawesi and Probolinggo, East Java.
CHALLENGES Lack of data and information on the status of the population and migration patterns, so that the necessary support from many parties in its management. Stranded in almot all in the Indonesian waters
OPPORTUNITIES Handling or rescue stranded of whale sharks (die or live) ( a field guide book) Population study of whale sharks Migration pattern study of whale shark (tagging program)
2. MANTA RAYS INTRODUCTION CITES appendix II (IUCN, 2013) Regulation of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries No. 4/KEPMEN- KP/2014 : Fully protected Vulnerable to extinction, the high demand for manta gills allegedly also the main cause of population decline manta rays world, including in Indonesia. Trade gills manta rays within the past 10 years has led to a decline in world manta population has decreased dramatically, including in Indonesia (Lewis, 2016)
CHALLENGES Manta ray population until now could not be ascertained due to the limited studies conducted population status. Interaction Manta habitats and fishing grounds is difficult to avoid. In some cases it was often reported Manta tangled in a gill net fishermen used to catch fish. Destructived of coral reef as habitat of Manta rays
OPPORTUNITIES 1. Population study of Manta (Photo ID, Genetic) 2. Migration pattern study of Manta (tagging programe) 3. Develop of alternative livelihoods of Manta product traders 4. Habitat rehabilitation
RESEARCH NEEDS TURTLE DUGONG MARINE MAMMALS WHALE SHARK MANTA RAY 1. Study of the ecology and turtle populations dynamic. 2. A study on turtle migration path; 1. populasi dan bioekologis jenis ikan), daerah penyebaran jenis ikan, sharks sosial dan budaya masyarakat setempat. 3. A study the modification of fishing gear to reduce by-catch 4. Development of sea turtle nesting activity 5. Habitat rehabilitation 1. Identification of the existence and habitat of dugongs and determination of conservation areas 2. Habitat rehabilitation 1. Study of population dynamic and distribution 2. Research on behavior of marine mammals 3. Identification of the development of alternative livelihoods 4. A study identifying the National Cetacean migration corridors; 1. Population study 2. Migration pattern 3. Handling or rescue stranded of whale 1. Population study 2. Migration pattern 3. Development of conservatioan areas (MPA) 4. Develop of alternative livelihoods of Manta 5. Habitat rehabilitation
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