Savu Sea Marine Biodiversity Rapid Assessment
With a primary focus on elasmobranchs
THE PROBLEM
The southern boundary of the Savu Sea is a region that remains unexplored in terms of scientific knowledge, especially for elasmobranchs.
Marine and coastal activities are also unmonitored due to the region’s remote and exposed location. The state of the marine environment in the region remains practically unknown.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Our team is exploring an overlooked region in Indonesia that may potentially host a myriad of life, including sharks and rays.
We aim to investigate an area range that is mainly inaccessible by land in a single expedition, and in the process, discover potential critical habitats, and observe known critical habitats in a more extensive manner.
THE ACTION
Our team explored the Savu Sea and monitored shark and ray distribution, reef fish abundance, critical habitat presence and distribution. In the process, we also acquired essential information from local community members and long-term expatriates.
Taken together, the information gathered serves as critical data for the management authorities of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) where we also provided recommendations to support the development of region-specific, effective conservation measures.
our findings
Our team has since recorded 17 different elasmobranch species within the survey region.
We managed to satellite-tag and conduct photo identification of 2 manta rays (one reef and one oceanic manta).
Furthermore, we discovered a reef manta ray cleaning and feeding site, 8 potentially new species and new range extensions for 6 fish species.
Our initial findings indicate depleted shark populations and areas of habitat destruction. They also highlight hope spots where, if conservation is prioritised, marine life can recover.