The collaboration between PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), together with the Pertamina Foundation and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) succeeded in finding a new individual whale shark in the Cendrawasih Bay National Park (TNTC) area, Kwatisore – Nabire Regency, Central Papua. With this addition, the number of whale sharks recorded at TNTC has now reached 203 individuals. This finding is the result of joint monitoring carried out since November 2023 at the Whale Shark Center (WSC) Kwatisore, which is now jointly managed by PIS and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. This finding is also a special gift for marine sustainability which coincides with World Ocean Day on June 8.
“From the monitoring results, it was found that there were new individuals of whale sharks in the TNTC area so that the population increased. Of course, this is good news from the good efforts that have been taking place in the last few months, and clear evidence of the company’s commitment to supporting the sustainability of the marine ecosystem, especially in the area Eastern Indonesian waters,” said PIS Corporate Secretary Muh. Aryomekka Firdaus, Sunday (9/6/2024).
“Being SEAnergi for the Sea” to support the sustainability of marine ecosystems, increase literacy and the welfare of coastal communities. This collaboration in managing the Whale Shark Center in Kwatisore includes several programs, including; Whale Shark conservation and tagging, Pertamina Ocean Warrior (Endangered Species Monitoring).
Then Diving Training, and Independent Energy Village. This whale shark conservation program begins with direct monitoring of the whale shark population at TNTC, namely recording the appearance of whale sharks by the community. Meanwhile, indirectly using tools such as underwater cameras (Photo-ID Method), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) markers and Pop-Up Satellite Archival Tag (PSAT) markers.
This monitoring is useful for developing knowledge and understanding of the biological, ecological and behavioral aspects of whale sharks so that programs can run effectively, and fauna populations can increase. Monitoring activities that have been taking place have proven to have produced results by recording the emergence of new individuals in the TNTC area.
“Initially, the whale shark population in TNTC had 195 whale sharks. Since joint monitoring was carried out in November 2023, we have been able to monitor and record new individuals so that the number reached 203 whale sharks as of May 2024. Hopefully in the future, this number can continue to increase for “monitoring the population and movements of whale sharks in the TNTC area,” said the Habitat Ecosystem Controller for the TNTC Region 1 Kwatisore Management Section, Sumaryono.
Apart from monitoring, conservation efforts at TNTC also continue with the process of tagging whale sharks to record and process data on whale shark behavior. One of the uses of data is to study the migration routes of whale sharks in Papuan waters. We will adjust this data to the PIS shipping area in Papua. So that PIS ships can sail on routes that will not interfere with the whale shark’s path.
Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) report, the whale shark is one of the animals that has been on the red list of endangered animals since 2016. Since then, efforts to conserve whale sharks have continued to be promoted by various parties, including PIS as a moving and industrial company. maritime and has great attention to the sustainability of Indonesia’s marine ecosystem.
“This collaboration is also proof of PIS’ commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) program, especially point 14 regarding life below water. As the largest maritime industry player in Indonesia, it is our obligation to run our business with sustainable principles in order to maintain the beauty of the environment, which “We will pass it on to future generations,” said Aryomekka.
June 9, 2024, CNBC Indonesia
(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20240609152943-4-545043/kini-ada-203-hiu-paus-di-whale-shark-center-kolaborasi-pis-klhk)