ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia is entering a critical phase of marine biodiversity decline as shark and ray populations continue to dwindle due to habitat degradation, overfishing, and rising market demand. This alarming trend mirrors the global decline of these top marine predators, signaling increasing ecological vulnerability in Indonesia’s tropical waters.
Researcher at the Applied Zoology Research Center (PRZT) of BRIN, Andhika Prima Prasetyo, explained that the pressure on shark and ray populations is driven not only by environmental degradation but also by growing domestic consumption.
“Sharks and rays are considered affordable protein sources for both coastal and urban communities, which accelerates exploitation,” he said during the Applied Zoology Summer School #13 quoted on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Rising Vulnerability Amid Widespread Habitat Loss
Sharks, rays, skates, and chimeras—four key groups of cartilaginous fish—possess biological traits that make them slow to recover from exploitation. Differences in reproductive systems, habitat depth, and gill structures further complicate conservation efforts.
Andhika warned that the global vulnerability of shark and ray species is rising sharply. A striking example is the Javan ray, a species native to Indonesia that has already been declared extinct.
“This highlights a serious crisis in tropical marine ecosystems, which may be rich in biodiversity but extremely fragile in population resilience,” he noted.
One of the World’s Largest Shark and Ray Traders
Indonesia remains one of the world’s largest shark and ray exporters, alongside Spain and India. While shark catches have decreased since 2000, ray catches continue to rise significantly.
Indonesia’s shark and ray products follow a zero-waste utilization pattern—fins, meat, cartilage, and even skin are processed into high-value goods such as wallets, footwear, and sword sheaths.
“Hong Kong is the primary destination for fin exports, while Malaysia leads in imports of ray meat,” Andhika added.
However, large-scale trade complicates regulatory control due to highly diverse product forms, difficulties in species identification, and the geographic complexity of Indonesia’s vast archipelago.
Genetic Technology Strengthens Traceability and Conservation
To address habitat degradation and illegal trade, BRIN is advancing genetic-based approaches for species identification and trade traceability. Technologies currently in use include DNA barcoding, mini-barcoding, PCR-RFLP, real-time PCR, and DNA metabarcoding, which can detect trace DNA in processed products such as shark-dust.
Challenges remain significant: high reagent costs, limited access to sequencing machines, large testing volumes, and Indonesia’s humid climate.
“Genetic tools are essential, but they must be supported by strong genome mapping and reference databases,” Andhika emphasized.
Strengthening Law Enforcement and Conservation Measures
Head of PRZT BRIN, Delicia Yulita Rachman, stressed that the program aims to strengthen species identification capacity, deepen genetic knowledge, and support law enforcement against wildlife overexploitation.
“Protecting marine biodiversity at both national and international levels is critical. The current condition of sharks and rays serves as a stark warning that Indonesia’s marine ecosystems are under relentless pressure,” she concluded. (AT Network)
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