cfi-indonesia.id. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) together with the Kaimana Regency Fisheries Service of West Papua Province carried out data collection activities and bioecological studies of the Whale Shark population in Kaimana waters. This activity was facilitated through CFI Indonesia's GEF 6 (Global Environment Facility) grant “The Ecosystem Approach To Fisheries Management (EAFM) In Eastern Indonesia (Fisheries Management Area (FMA) - 715, 717 & 718)”.

Whale Shark tourism activities in the waters of Triton Bay and an object of tourist attraction in Kaimana Regency (10/7/2024)

Whale Shark tourism activities in the waters of Triton Bay and an object of tourist attraction in Kaimana Regency (7/10/2024)

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) for Papuans also known as Fir'umbo is one of the wildlife that often appears in the waters of Triton Bay and is an object of tourist attraction in Kaimana Regency that is most attractive to tourists today. The characteristics of the slow and friendly movement of individual whale sharks towards divers have made whale sharks one of the interesting objects and can cause its own attraction for divers and other underwater tourism enthusiasts.

The waters of Triton Bay, Kaimana Regency are where whale sharks are commonly seen, the appearance of whale sharks is related to the large number of fishing nets in the area.

FGD activities in the context of data collection and study of Triton Bay Whale Shark Bioecology and Pelagic Habitat Structure in Kaimana Regency WPP 715 (10/7/2024)

The purpose of this Group Discussion Forum is to examine the Bioecology of Triton Bay Whale Sharks and Pelagic Habitat Structure in WPP 715, the perceptions of local communities and tourists about the development of whale shark ecotourism and the formulation of whale shark ecotourism development strategies in Triton Bay waters.

This FGD was held on October 7 to 9, 2024 at the Triton Grand Papua Hotel Ballroom Jl. Simora Circle, Kaimana Regency. The results of the FGD showed that whale sharks generally surface in waters where there are many fishermen's nets with many fish in their nets, with physical environmental conditions of 28-310C surface temperature, 33-34% salinity and 7-12 m sea brightness, respectively.

The total number of whale shark appearances was 30 times and 15 individuals were identified, all males, measuring 3-6 m body length in the young (immature) category, usually reaching 18 m, generally lacking wounds. Whale sharks forage and surface near the bagan in the morning to afternoon with a duration of 15-30 minutes.

Local communities generally respond positively to the development of whale shark ecotourism. Generally, tourists, of which 80% are foreign tourists, also give the perception that whale shark attraction tours in the waters of Triton Bay are interesting to very interesting, although there are still several aspects of tourism management that need to be improved, such as the availability of information services, tour guides, and the level of comfort. Important development strategies are carried out, including increasing the capacity of human resources, providing supporting tourism infrastructure, coordination and synergy with stakeholders, and increasing public awareness and developing cultural tourism attractions as supporters.

The Regional Secretary of Kaimana Regency, Donald R. Wakum, reiterated the importance of maintaining ocean cleanliness when attending the Whale Shark data collection FGD. All levels of society are asked to work together to overcome the problem of plastic waste that threatens the sustainability of whale sharks.

“We must protect the sea, because from the sea, we get life and blessings, because most of the Kaimana people make a living at sea through fishing and selling fish,” said Donald R. Wakum, Secretary of Kaimana Regency.

The existence of whale sharks in Kaimana waters is threatened by the problem of marine debris Seeing this condition, the Secretary of Kaimana urges all people to stop littering, especially into the sea.

Besides threatening whale sharks, marine debris also damages the marine ecosystem as a whole. Plastic waste that settles on the seabed can damage coral reefs, an important habitat for various marine life including whale sharks.

“I invite all of us to commit to protecting the sea, because plastic waste is currently a serious problem that needs to be addressed, for the survival of our children and grandchildren,” he said