Shark Landing Survey in Southwest Aceh

Sharks and rays are among the most vulnerable and threatened marine animals in the world. To protect them and their habitats, a conservation project was launched in Aceh Province, Indonesia, by Impact Blue Sea Foundation (IBSF). The project, which is supported by the University of Oxford and IPB University, aims to collect data on shark and ray landing, fisheries, and biology.

The project started with a visit to PPS Kutaraja Lampulo, the largest fishing port in Sumatera, where sharks and rays are often caught as bycatch from various fisheries. The team identified several species of sharks, including hammerhead shark, tiger shark, silky shark, thresher shark, and many more. The team also conducted an introduction meeting with the local stakeholders in Ujong Serangga Southwest Aceh, where the project will be based for the next three years.

The project will conduct regular landing surveys and monitoring of sharks and rays in Southwest Aceh, as well as an incentives study to understand the economic drivers and challenges of shark fisheries. The project will also conduct a biology study to examine the population structure, genetics, and movements of sharks and rays in Aceh. The data collected from this project will inform conservation strategies and policies to protect these magnificent creatures and their habitats in Indonesia.