TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Flagship species for conservation: Manta rays, leatherback turtles

Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) and University of Papua (UNIPA) have started a collaborative research program on two “flagship” species of marine megafauna — manta rays and leatherback turtles. 

Robert Perryman and Ricardo F. Tapilatu (The Jakarta Post)
Premium
Manokwari
Wed, April 11, 2018

Share This Article

Change Size

Flagship species for conservation: Manta rays, leatherback turtles Unlike the grey sting rays which always sit on the bottom of sea and have poisonous tail, manta ray is harmless and playful. (Shutterstock/-)

I

n West Papua’s Kepala Burung (Bird’s Head) seascape, conservationists are working with local scientists to protect some of the world’s most endangered marine species. Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) and University of Papua (UNIPA) have started a collaborative research program on two “flagship” species of marine megafauna — manta rays and leatherback turtles. 

Bird’s Head is in the heart of the coral triangle — the global epicenter of marine biodiversity. But this region, like the rest of Indonesia is highly threatened by human activities. 

Recently highlighted at the Indonesian Shark and Ray Symposium on March 28 to 29, manta rays (plankton filter feeders) and leatherbacks (feed on jellyfish), are suffering from extreme level of marine pollution problems in Indonesia and the rest of Asia (both plastic pollution and chemical pollution from industry and agriculture) — which also pose a health risk to humans who eat contaminated fish. 

Overfishing is another huge problem in the region. Despite a ban on killing manta rays in Indonesia since 2014, fishermen are still being encouraged to hunt them by illegal traders operating from 

to Read Full Story

  • Unlimited access to our web and app content
  • e-Post daily digital newspaper
  • No advertisements, no interruptions
  • Privileged access to our events and programs
  • Subscription to our newsletters
or

Purchase access to this article for

We accept

TJP - Visa
TJP - Mastercard
TJP - GoPay

Redirecting you to payment page

Pay per article

Flagship species for conservation: Manta rays, leatherback turtles

Rp 29,000 / article

1
Create your free account
By proceeding, you consent to the revised Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.
Already have an account?

2
  • Palmerat Barat No. 142-143
  • Central Jakarta
  • DKI Jakarta
  • Indonesia
  • 10270
  • +6283816779933
2
Total Rp 29,000
{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.