Identification of Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) in near shore Wayag Islands, Raja Ampat
Darmawan Ahmad Mukharror, Dwi Yuda Asmara

Shark Diving Indonesia - Shark Behavior Research Department

Abstract

Raja Ampat Islands is well known as one of the best dive sites in Indonesia. Since 1990s, Raja Ampat has been developed as an example of success of marine tourism, conservation and green economy. Covering approximately 1,200,000 hectares and 45% of Raja Ampat^s coral reef and mangroves, a Marine Protected Area has been established since 2007 including Wayag islands. Despite its home for up to 208 different fish species, the number different individuals, sex ratio and its behaviors of blacktip reef fishes in Wayag Island is largely unknown. In order to develop ecological assessment, shark diving carrying capacity, and safe diving procedure and ethics, the identification of blacktip reef shark is a beneficial. In order to identify the different blacktip reef shark^s black spot marking and its patterns visually, Diver Operated Video (DOV) is practiced. Collection of photographs and video of the Carcharhinus melanopterus has been gathered during skin diving - on January 2022 - to reveal the different of each individual of reef black tip reef shark living in the one of Wayag Island shore

Keywords: Wayag Islands, blacktip reef shark, individual marking

Topic: Marine Ecotourism (International)