To the Raja Ampat Government: Drs Marcus Wanmar, Bupati Raja Ampat Regency
Bpk. Becky Rahawarin, Head of Fisheries Raja Ampat
Bpk. Yusti Lamatenggo, Head of Tourism Raja Ampat
Simon Atururi, Head of DKP Province Papua Barat
Frans Kosamah, Head of Tourism Office Province Papua Barat
We understand that the Fisheries Department of the Regency of Raja Ampat is reviewing a new Regency regulation on the management of its coral reefs to improve the sustainability of its coral reefs and fisheries. As part of this Plan, we urge you to prohibit fishing of all sharks, mantas and mobula rays.
Sharks, mantas, and rays are critical to your goals of sustainable fisheries, healthy reef environments, and strong eco-tourism. Conversely, loss of your sharks will likely diminish biodiversity and negatively impact tourism as divers turn elsewhere. Sharks, mantas, and mobulas are among your greatest treasures! Here’s why:
Worldwide, sharks are disappearing due to the demand for fins. Shark populations are in a rapid and steep decline worldwide due to unrelenting fishing pressure and demand for shark fin soup. Over 73 million sharks are killed annually, mostly for their fins. As a result, many shark species have suffered declines estimated at 90% or more.
Raja Ampat’s shark resources have been plundered. Sharks are one of Raja Ampat’s most valuable natural resources. With no catch limits and legal shark finning, sharks have been systematically extracted from Raja Ampat, often illegally or by outsiders. This plundering has already negatively impacted the people of Raja Ampat who depend upon healthy reefs for their livelihoods.
Sharks, as apex predators, help to maintain population balance and health among species throughout the eco-system. Scientific studies demonstrate that shark eradication can result in the loss of commercially important fish and shellfish species down the food chain, including key fisheries such as tuna and other important fish species that maintain the health of coral reefs. Observations from Palau indicate that biodiversity has improved since they began to protect sharks, echoing studies that demonstrate sharks are associated with reef ecosystems of higher biodiversity and biomass.
Shark and manta reproduction cannot overcome intense fishing. Shark and manta species often take 10 or more years to become sexually mature and then give birth to a small number of young. Populations can be destroyed quickly and take decades to recover, if they recover at all.
Vibrant shark and manta populations should result in increased tourism revenue for the people of Raja Ampat. Divers, when choosing a dive destination, rank sharks and mantas as the #1 attraction—ranking even higher than healthy coral reefs or turtles.
Separate studies conducted in the Bahamas, South Africa, Palau, the Maldives, and Australia show that revenue from shark diving significantly surpasses potential shark fishing revenue. For example, the tourism value of each living grey reef shark in the Maldives has been placed at US$33,500 each year. This revenue recurs year after year from the same sharks. Shark diving can result in millions of dollars annually in each of the individual local destinations, well beyond the one-time income from shark fishing.
Raja Ampat is becoming known as a treasure of biodiversity. Sharks, mantas, and mobulas are essential, yet vulnerable members of this spectacular environment. Shark numbers are greatly diminished throughout Raja Ampat, but are now showing encouraging signs of recovery in newly established No-Take-Zones. Healthy manta and mobula populations still exist in the Regency, but for how long?
Encounters with mantas and sharks are the highlight of dive vacations. Divers share these stories with friends, but also share their disappointment when they don’t see sharks where they belong. Now is the time to act so that these majestic creatures can help Raja Ampat become one of the most desired eco-tourism destinations in the world.
We respectfully urge the Raja Ampat Government to safeguard the area’s rich fishery and ensure a thriving tourism industry for generations to come by ending the harvesting of all sharks, mantas, and mobulas.
