Scholarship
INDONESIAN YOUTH ELASMOBRANCH SCHOLARSHIP
Coming Soon: YES 2026!
The Indonesian Youth Elasmobranch Scholarship (IYES) Program is an innovative research grant and conservation project initiative program on elasmobranchs for Indonesian youth to be able to respond to the growing need for data and conservation interventions related to sharks and rays based on issues and gaps in their management.
This program is also intended as a cadre formation in preparing a succession of future leaders who will build and continue shark and ray conservation program initiatives in Indonesia.
IYES 2024 Alumni Profile
Research Grants
Gadjah Mada University
Calvin Muliawan, Andari Sekarningrum, Raihan Widarianto Putra
Gadjah Mada University
DIET ANALYSIS AND POPULATION GENETIC STRUCTURE OF Hemiscyllium halmahera
The Halmahera walking shark or Hemiscyllium halmahera, found in the shallow waters around Halmahera Island, Indonesia, is an iconic species known for its ability to “walk” on the seafloor using its pectoral and pelvic fins. Despite its ecological and conservation significance as an indicator species for coral reef health, this species is listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List due to threats from habitat degradation and artisanal fishing pressures. In response, the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries granted full protection to H. Halmahera in 2023. However, current knowledge about this shark is limited, with research on H. Halmahera comprising only about 9% of total studies on the Hemiscyllium genus. Key areas of interest, such as the species' life history, population dynamics, genetic diversity, and diet, remain underexplored, highlighting a need for targeted research to inform conservation efforts.
This study aims to bridge knowledge gaps by investigating the diet and genetic diversity of H. Halmahera. To understand the shark's dietary habits, the research will utilize minimally invasive techniques, through fecal DNA (fDNA) metabarcoding to analyze stomach contents with high taxonomic precision. Additionally, the molecular approach of fin clipping will assess genetic diversity and population connectivity across habitats in surrounding areas of Morotai Islands, North Maluku, in providing insights into gene flow and potential population fragmentation. By combining diet composition analysis with genetic data, this study seeks to clarify H. Halmahera's ecological role and resilience, ultimately supporting strategies for conservation and sustainable management of this vulnerable species.
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Young Indonesian Maritime
Ester Novita Togatorop
Young Indonesian Maritime & University of Papua
Case Study: Mapping of the Main Habitat Area of the Walking Shark in Designing a Protection Zone from Fishermen's Community Activities in the Waters of Mansinam Island, Manokwari Regency, West Papua Province)
HABITAT-BASED WALKING SHARK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
Mansinam Island is one of the islands located in the Doreri Bay area facing Nusmapi Island, Manokwari Regency and is located at coordinates 0054'6.575” South Latitude (LS) and 13406'6.038” East Longitude (BT) and is included in the administrative boundaries of East Manokwari District. Based on information from the community, walking sharks are often found around the seagrass and coral reef ecosystems during the day and night, this is reinforced by research conducted by (Insani et al., 2022) about Hemiscyllium galei in Doreri Bay, Manokwari, Indonesia, in the Arowi Waters and Nusmapi Island, but in Mansinam Island, no intervention has been carried out for the main habitat of walking sharks. In fact, if seen, the characteristics of the habitat between locations in Doreri Bay have similar habitats and ecosystem types that are almost the same, so this encourages researchers to conduct this study on Mansinam Island as a research location.
This study aims to describe the types of walking sharks in the waters of Mansinam Island, design a map of the main habitat locations of walking sharks in the waters of Mansinam Island, recommend appropriate management strategies for protecting the main habitat of walking sharks around the waters of Mansinam Island. This study was conducted to recommend a conservation and management policy in designing a protection zone from the activities of fishing communities in the waters of Mansinam Island. Data collection was carried out by interviewing fishermen, surrounding communities, and direct observation was carried out on the main habitat locations of walking sharks with a monitoring approach. time sheries from morning, afternoon and evening to identify walking sharks and take coordinates at each location where the species is found to design a protection zone that will be analyzed using ArcGIS 10.2.
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Diponegoro University
Melly Ayu Oktavia, Andi Muhammad Affan Nugraha, Albertus Hendy Christian
Diponegoro University
Tracing the Supply Chain of Pe' Fish Processing (Dasyatidae) in Bajomulyo Village, Juwana, Pati
The North Coast of Java is one of the habitats of various species of stingrays. There are 8 species of Dasyatidae stingrays detected in the port of Juwana Pati, which is one of the ports located on the Pantura of Java. This study tries to trace how the utilization of stingrays is focused on actors, relationship networks, and economic and environmental impacts. This study aims to provide data findings that can consider the next steps regarding Dasyatidae stingrays on the North Coast of Java. Data collection was carried out through economic surveys, in-depth interviews, and participant observation of fishermen, collectors, stingray processors, traders, consumers, and related agencies. So that later we can understand how far this supply chain is running and what socio-economic impacts there are from the related actors. Ultimately, this research can be a reference in designing and making sustainable and humane policies.
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Airlangga University
Muhammad Khoirul Anwar, Princess Asfarina Ifada, Oka Bayu Pratama
Airlangga University
The Effectiveness of Image Identification Technology for Shark Carcasses in Hammerhead Shark Species (Sphyrnidae) at TPI Brondong, Lamongan, East Java.
The hammerhead sharks (family Sphyrnidae), particularly found in the waters of Indonesia, are an iconic species recognized by their distinctive cephalofoil head. These sharks play a critical role in marine ecosystems as apex predators, yet most species in this family are listed as “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red List due to overfishing and habitat degradation. Their body parts, such as fins and carcasses are highly sought after in local and international markets, leading to significant pressure on their populations. Accurate species identification is essential for monitoring trade and implementing conservation efforts. However, traditional identification methods are often subjective, time-consuming, and rely on expert knowledge.
This study, branded as SeeShark, addresses these challenges by developing a computer vision-based identification tool tailored for hammerhead shark species in the TPI Brondong, Lamongan, East Java. Using images of carcasses, fins, teeth, and skin collected from markets, the project aims to create a robust dataset for training a machine learning model. The performance of this model will be evaluated against traders' identification accuracy to assess its efficiency and reliability. By providing a fast, cost-effective, and scalable identification tool, this research not only supports sustainable trade monitoring but also contributes to the conservation of hammerhead sharks by enhancing data accuracy and fostering awareness of their critically endangered status
Monitor the progress of this project at www.seeshark.org
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Syiah Kuala University
Riska Diajeng Putri, Rada Febriyanti, Nur Zulurrahmi
Syiah Kuala University
Assessment of Deep Sea Shark Management Based on EAFM Based on Panglima Laot Institution in Southwest Aceh Waters
The waters of West Aceh Regency have a variety of fish resources, including sharks which are both target and non-target catches for fishermen. Sharks play an important role as top predators in the food chain and maintain the balance of the marine ecosystem. In Indonesia, 116 species of sharks from 25 families have been found, just as in the waters of Southwest Aceh, shark species are often found, both oceanic sharks and deep-sea sharks. For deep-sea shark species, the type most often landed by fishermen is one of the types, namely Squalus sp. And Chimaera sp. with Squalus sp. as the dominant species caught. Based on IUCN category Red List, Squalus sp. is included in the category Vulnerable (Vulnerable) which are at risk of being threatened towards extinction in nature.
Deep sea sharks play an important role in marine ecosystems, but their existence is threatened by unsustainable fishing and over-exploitation. Ecosystem Approach of Fisheries Management (EAFM) is present as a sustainable management solution by considering all components of the ecosystem. The results of this study are expected to provide a comprehensive picture of the management of deep sea shark species including species such as Squalus sp. (oil shark), mitsukurina owstoni (goblin shark), Echinorhinus brucus (bramble shark), Chimaera sp. and others. In the waters of Southwest Aceh, the effectiveness of EAFM-based management will be aligned with the customary rules of the Panglima Laot, as well as the challenges and opportunities in its implementation.
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Conservation Grants
Aylin Oyaitouw
Aylin Oyaitouw
Shark Conservation Walk in Kantumilena Village, Jayapura
Kantumilena Village or another name is Endokisi Village which is one of the villages located in Yokari District, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province which is a village with coral reefs so that it has the potential for the distribution of the Walking Shark species that has not been realized so that it becomes the focus of the conservation and management of walking sharks that we do. Judging from the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species (www.iunedlist.org, cavanaga et al. 2003) in December 2020, the International Union for Conservation of Nature updated the status of the Walking Shark Conservation (Kalabia) from initially "data deficient" to "vulnerable" or threatened, extinct. So in the conservation and Management of this Walking Shark we will make efforts and strategies in the form of activities such as Interviews, Observations, Documentation, Socialization to Publication in order to maintain sustainability and prevent extinction of the walking shark species in Kantumilena Village.
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Shark and Ray Sustainable Foundation (EPI)
The following are the names of the three women who are the most famous women in the world:
EPI
“The workshop and implementation of the citizen science and tourism integration scheme is responsible for sustainable research and conservation efforts of walking sharks (H. freycineti) in Arborek, Southwest Papua”
Raja Ampat Epaulette Shark (walking shark) (Hemiscyllium freycineti) is a species of shark endemic to Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, Indonesia. Although its conservation status is Near Threatened (Near Threatened), the population of this species is declining due to the limited vertical distribution of this species (Allen et al., 2016) as well as the development of homestays, disruption of ship traffic, suspected capture for the aquarium trade, and pressure from traditional fishing/marine resource extraction (Compagno & Compagno, 2001; IUCN, 2020). On the other hand, specific research on this species is still very limited since the first observation of this species was made in 2003 (Cornish, 2005) and several studies on this species by freelance researchers, Conservation International, Konservasi Indonesia (KI), and EPI. Research on walking sharks is still very limited due to several challenges including limited resources in terms of researchers and the costs required to collect comprehensive data. Therefore, an approach to be able to monitor walking sharks regularly and effectively in terms of resources is needed to implement full protection of walking sharks in Raja Ampat by the Regional Public Service Agency of the Regional Technical Implementation Unit (BLUD UPTD) of the Raja Ampat Marine Conservation Area (KKP). Citizen science can be an alternative approach because of its replicable nature and can be done by many people. This approach can also be integrated with tourism which has indeed become the main livelihood sector in Raja Ampat, especially in Arborek where research on walking sharks has been carried out more frequently since 2023, including by the EPI team.
This project is part of the Kalabia Project 2024 which will be implemented by the EPI team in August-October 2024 with a co-funding scheme, with the specific aim of implementing citizen science through responsible tourism as an effort to continuously monitor and preserve walking sharks in Arborek, Raja Ampat, by prioritizing conservation principles that are beneficial to local communities.
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Blue Sea Impact Foundation Indonesia
Muhammad Fauzi, Muthya Farah
Impact Blue Sea Foundation (Indonesian Blue Sea Impact Foundation)
Freshwater Stingray Conservation in West Kalimantan
Freshwater stingrays are one of the species that can be found in river estuaries, especially in the Kapuas River in West Kalimantan. This species is usually caught using mini trawl nets at depths between 1-3 meters. Due to high export demand, especially to Japan, exploitation of these stingrays continues. High demand and prices for stingray products provide strong economic incentives for fishermen and many parties, but this also increases the risk of overfishing of stingrays which threatens their sustainability.
Until now, information about protected freshwater stingrays around West Kalimantan is still very minimal, including information about their trade chains. In addition, understanding of freshwater stingray fisheries in West Kalimantan has not been widely studied. The availability of current data on utilization patterns and the economic value of freshwater stingrays for local communities is still rare. Therefore, this project aims to conduct an initial study on the condition of freshwater stingray fisheries in the Kapuas River area, West Kalimantan and the social aspects of communities that depend on freshwater stingrays.
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IYES 2022 Alumni Profile
Socio-Economic Team
Nabila Nur Septiani, Mrs. Aulia Azzahra, Lailatun Nikmah
Bogor Agricultural Institute
IYES Alumni 2022
Institutional Economic Analysis, Supply Chain, and Fishermen's Livelihood Assets from Freshwater Stingray Trade in Musi River, South Sumatra
The city of Palembang in South Sumatra is a habitat for freshwater ray species and some of them are protected by law because they are threatened with extinction. The protected species that can be found in the waters of South Sumatra consist of three species, including the spotted river ray (Fluvitrygon oxyrhynchus), white-fronted river stingray (Fluvitrygon signifer), and giant river rays (Urogymnus polylepis). Natural factors and human factors including the trade chain cause the existence of freshwater stingray species to be threatened.
This study aims to identify the interactions between freshwater stingray management actors, analyze the supply chain and marketing margins of freshwater stingrays in the Musi River, and analyze livelihood assets freshwater stingray fishermen in the Musi River, Palembang City. This study was conducted to address the problems of freshwater stingray trade in Indonesia which is used to develop strategies for developing other employment opportunities as a diversification of livelihood capital (livelihood assets) so that the fishermen involved are able to make the transition from freshwater ray fishing to other jobs. This research was conducted by interviewing fishermen, the trade actors involved, stakeholder both in government, academics, NGOs, and also journalists.
Bioecology Team
Amila Fitri Salsabil, Sinta Navyanda Putri, Joshua Ruben Bungaran S
Bogor Agricultural Institute
IYES Alumni 2022
Bio-Ecology and Biodiversity Study of Freshwater Stingrays Using Morphometric and Genetic Approaches in the Musi River, Palembang City, South Sumatra Province
Stingrays (Dasyatidae) are widely distributed in Indonesian waters, both in freshwater and marine waters. Freshwater stingrays are included in protected fish (Ministerial Decree of Marine Affairs and Fisheries No. 1 of 2021), but their existence is threatened by various human activities. One of the habitats of freshwater stingrays is the Musi River, South Sumatra Province. Freshwater stingrays in the Musi River are often caught by fishermen's nets and used as food fish or ornamental fish so that their population is decreasing. Meanwhile, information related to this resource is very minimal. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of habitat, type, morphology, and species traceability through DNA barcoding so that it can provide more comprehensive information about freshwater stingrays in the Musi River, South Sumatra.
The characteristics of the habitat of freshwater stingrays in the Musi River, Palembang City have brown turbid water, salinity of 0 ppm (fresh water), temperature ranging from 25-30°C, and the substrate type is clay. Around the Musi River in Palembang City, there are various community activities that are suspected of causing habitat degradation for freshwater stingrays in the Musi River. The freshwater stingrays obtained consist of six species (Fluvitrygon signifer, Fluvitrygon oxyrhynchus, Fluvitrygon cf. oxyrhynchus, Fluvitrygon kittipongi, Pastinachus stellurostris, and Urogymnus polylepis) with several similarities in characteristics, namely the color of the dorsal disc is brownish to blackish, the tail is very long like a whip, there are 2 stinging spines, and has small eyes. As for the results of DNA barcoding analysis, there are two species of freshwater stingrays that have been successfully validated molecularly, namely F. signifer and P. stellurostris. Species of spotted freshwater stingray (F. oxyrhynchus) and the long-snouted white-edged stingray (F. oxyrhynchus) has not been genetically validated. This information is expected to be useful for readers, government and other stakeholders in the sustainable freshwater stingray management strategy in Indonesia.
