Ichsan 2023 IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci. 1221 012079

(1)

IOP Conference Series:

Earth and

Environmental Science

PAPER • OPEN ACCESS

Nebrius ferrugineus (Chondrichthyes:

Orectolobiformes: Ginglymostomatidae) record and the role of citizen science for conservation in Morotai North Maluku Indonesia

To cite this article: M Ichsan et al 2023 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 1221 012079

View the article online for updates and enhancements.

Nebrius ferrugineus (Chondrichthyes: Orectolobiformes:

Ginglymostomatidae) record and the role of citizen science for conservation in Morotai North Maluku Indonesia

M Ichsan^1,3*, H A Bimantara², N Pridina¹, A N Wardhanie²

1Yayasan Impak Laut Biru Indonesia (Impact Blue Sea Foundation), Perum Pesona Khayangan Blok BS No. 18 RT/RW 01/27, Mekarjaya, Sukmajaya, Depok, Bogor, West Java. 16411, Indonesia

2Gorango Morotai (GOMO) Dive, Jl. Pelabuhan Ferry No.31, Juanga, Kec. Morotai Sel., Kabupaten Pulau Morotai, Maluku Utara 97771, Indonesia

3University of Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Dr, Sippy Downs QLD 4556, Australia

*[email protected]

Abstract. Nebrius ferrugineus, or tawny nurse shark, is a species of carpet shark distributed across the tropical Indo-Pacific region. This species has little species- specific information on biology and fisheries. The tawny nurse shark is listed as

"Vulnerable" on IUCN Redlist and is rarely seen, recorded, and studied in Indonesia.

We recorded this species during SCUBA diving in Morotai waters in April 2022.

Recorded live encounters by SCUBA diving activities in Indonesia are even more scarce. In Morotai, North Maluku, this species anecdotally exists by reports from SCUBA divers, however, have not been documented very well. Scientific record of this species is highly important for conservation and habitat management. The government of Indonesia also recognised the significance of biodiversity and potential marine tourism in Morotai by declaring 65,520.75 hectares of Marine Protected Area (MPA) named Taman Wisata Perairan (TWP) Pulau Rao - Tanjung Dehegila. This MPA focuses on protecting marine biodiversity, historical object preservation (World War II underwater relics) and sustainable small-scale fisheries. However, species-specific protection for tawny nurse sharks does not exist in Indonesia. In Morotai, where this species is recorded, marine protected areas are only effective in conserving shark if it is sufficiently large, well-enforced, and monitored.

(3)

4TH-ICFAES-2022

2

Muncar, East Java Province, N. ferrugineus was recorded as just around 0.1% of the elasmobranch catch landed in 2017–2018 [5]. In Tanjung Luar, West Nusa Tenggara, only 14 specimens were recorded between April 2001 and March 2006 [6] and 62 specimens were recorded between 2014 - 2020 [7]. In Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, one specimen was recorded in March 2014 [8]. In Western Sumatera (Lampulo and Sibolga), 12 specimens were recorded between October 2013 to June 2014 [9]. A study on DNA barcoding of shark fins between 2012-2014 identified eight N. ferrugineus from 582 market samples across the country [10].

Recorded live encounters by SCUBA diving activities in Indonesia are even more scarce. In Morotai, this species' existence is known by anecdotal reports from SCUBA divers; however, have not been documented very well. As with any other elasmobranch species, scientific records are highly important for protection and habitat management.

2. Methods

The shark (Figure 1) was encountered opportunistically during SCUBA diving activity by GOMO Dive Morotai on 19 May 2022 afternoon in the Tosininga dive site (Figure 2) within Dehegila-Rao Marine Protected Area, Morotai, North Maluku Province, Indonesia. This species was recorded in Tosininga reef, a pinnacle reef in the middle of the ocean western side of Mitita Island. In this Divesite, the reef starts at 10 m below the surface and descends to around 37 m. The average temperature for southern Morotai water is around 28^o-31^oCelsius [11]. The video was analysed, and species identification followed the identification guidelines by White et al. 2006 and Ebert et al. 2013 and confirmation from experts.

Figure 1. Tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) in Morotai

©Bimantara

(4)

4TH-ICFAES-2022

.

Figure 2. Tosininga Divesite (dot), Morotai, North Maluku, Indonesia.

3. Results

3.1 Scientific classification and identification

Tawny nurse shark is classified as follows; Subclass: Elasmobranchii, Order: Orectolobiformes, Family:

Ginglymostomatidae, Genus: Nebrius, Species: Nebrius ferrugineus (Lesson 1831). From the video, the specimen is distinguished by its bulky features, long barbles with angular fins and asymmetrical caudal fins about one-quarter to one-third of its length [3], [12]–[14]. At the time of the dive, this site has a strong current and approximate visibility of 25-30 m. When recorded, this species is found in coral reef beds at around 12 m depth and showed a passive behaviour until approached by divers. The size and sex cannot be determined due to distance and limited time of encounter, but they most likely reach maturity size with approximately 3 m in length.

3.2 Utilisation

Globally, N. ferrugineus is listed as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Redlist of Threatened Species^TM[15]. N. ferrugineus is caught regularly in various demersal fisheries in many countries and is utilised mainly for its fins and meat [3], [15]. This species is also utilised as an ornamental fish, displayed and bred in aquaria worldwide, with live specimens exported mainly from Indonesia and Australia [15]. However, as one of the leading exporter countries for N.

©Harimurti Asih Bimantara

(5)

4TH-ICFAES-2022

4

and monitored [19]. Therefore, the newly established MPAs such as in Morotai, need sufficient resources and commitment for long-term management. In the last few years, the government of Morotai has made shark and shark-diving activities their flagship theme for marine tourism, even promoting Gorango Morotai (GOMO) as their regional mascot [20] where Gorango is 'shark' in the local language.

This effort is one example of government support for conservation and hopefully can encourage others to support elasmobranch conservation in Indonesia.

3.4 Role of Citizen Science in Elasmobranch Conservation in Morotai

The biodiversity of sharks and rays in Morotai especially encountered during SCUBA diving, is relatively high, with at least ten species recorded or studied, as shown in Table 1. Some species, for example, blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), are well-studied, especially for ecology and behaviour. However, many shark and ray species in Morotai still have not been documented and appropriately studied since research on marine species is known to be high-cost and time-consuming.

Therefore, we realised the importance of citizen science for species conservation, especially for elasmobranch species in remote regions where research is still encouraged [21]. This method is recognised worldwide as a low-cost, effective and long-term approach to help scientists gather baseline information and allow authorities to set species and spatial management [31][32]. The sightings record of this species in Morotai will help inform local authorities and can be used as a recommendation to strengthen the local species and habitat protection and improve the exposure of Morotai as a shark tourism centre in Indonesia.

Table 1. Sharks and Rays Studied and Recorded in Morotai

Common Name Species Name Source

Whitespotted eagle ray Aetobatus ocellatus [25]

Grey reef shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos [11], [26],[27]

Blacktip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus [11], [26],[27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32]

Halmahera walking shark

Hemiscyllum halmahera [11]

Oceanic manta ray Mobula birostris Documented by Muhammad Rifky Fahmi for Shark Diving Indonesia, 2014 (Facebook Post)

Bentfin devil ray Mobula thurstoni [33]

Tawny nurse shark Nebrius ferrugineus This study

Whale shark Rhincodon typus Documented by Dive Morotai,

2022 (Instagram Post) Bottlenose wedgefish Rhynchobatus australiae Documented by Dimas, 2019

(Instagram Post) Whitetip reef shark Triaenodon obesus [11],[26],[27]

4. Conclusion

N. ferrugineus occurrence in Southern Morotai was recorded as part of the citizen science approach by the local diving operators. Local communities, particularly dive guides are a key resource for this approach, and we encourage them to be involved in long-term science-based conservation.

Acknowledgement

We want to thank the Morotai Island District Government and Gorango Morotai (GOMO) Dive operator for supporting this study and the development of sustainable shark diving tourism. We also thank Dr Simon Pierce from Marine Megafauna Foundation for the help on species identification.

(6)

4TH-ICFAES-2022

References

[1] J. Randall, G. Allen, and R. Steen, Fishes of the great barrier reef and coral sea. University of Hawaii Press}, 1998.

[2] D. A. Ebert, S. L. Fowler, L. J. V. Compagno, and M. Dando, Sharks of the world: a fully illustrated guide. Wild Nature Press, 2013.

[3] L. J. V. Compagno, Sharks of the world: an annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Rome: United Nations Development Programme, 1984.

[4] R. F. Myers, Micronesian reef fishes: a practical guide to the identification of the coral reef fishes of the tropical central and western Pacific. Barrigada, Territory of Guam, U.S.A: Coral Graphics, 1989.

[5] S. T. Winter, Fahmi, D. Rudianto, B. J. L. Laglbauer, I. Ender, and C. A. Simpfendorfer,

"Immature individuals dominate elasmobranch fisheries of the Bali Strait," Mar. Freshw.

Res., vol. 71, no. 11, p. 1488, 2020, doi: 10.1071/MF19300.

[6] Dharmadi, Fahmi, and W. T. White, "Species composition and aspects of the biology of Orectolobiformes from Indonesian waters: biology of orectolobiformes," J. Fish Biol., vol.

86, no. 2, pp. 484–492, Feb. 2015, doi: 10.1111/jfb.12569.

[7] Wildlife Conservation Society, "Komposisi Hasil Tangkapan - Total Landing Nebrius ferruginues," Data-Ikan.org, 2022. http://data-ikan.org/hiu_ntb/cpue.php (accessed 22 May 2022).

[8] I. S. Alaydrus, N. Fitriana, and Y. Jamu, “Jenis dan Status Konservasi Ikan Hiu yang Tertangkap di Tempat Pelelangan Ikan (TPI) Labuan Bajo, Manggarai Barat, Flores,” Al-Kauniyah J.

Biol., vol. 7, no. 2, 2014.

[9] D. Dharmadi, M. Mahiswara, and K. Kasim, “Catch Composition and Some Biological Aspects of Sharks In Western Sumatera Waters of Indonesia,” Indones. Fish. Res. J., vol. 22, no. 2, p. 99, Jan. 2017, doi: 10.15578/ifrj.22.2.2016.99-108.

[10] A. Sembiring et al., "DNA barcoding reveals targeted fisheries for endangered sharks in Indonesia," Fish. Res., vol. 164, pp. 130–134, Apr. 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.fishres.2014.11.003.

[11] M. Ichsan, N. Pridina, and D. A. Mukharror, “Pariwisata Penyelaman Ikan Hiu Di Perairan Morotai, Maluku Utara, Indonesia,” p. 6, 2015.

[12] G. Allen and M. Erdmann, Reef Fishes of the East Indies, vol. Volumes I‐III., III vols. Perth, Australia.: Tropical Reef Research, 2012. [Online]. Available:

http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1643/OT-13-010

[13] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Field guides: FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes, FAO species identification field guide for fishery purposes, FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. Rome, Italy: FAO, 2008.

[14] W. T. White et al., "Economically Important Sharks and Rays of Indonesia," 2006, doi:

10.22004/AG.ECON.114072.

[15] IUCN, “Nebrius ferrugineus: Simpfendorfer, C., Derrick, D., , D., Bin Ali, A., Fahmi, Vo, V.Q., Tanay, D., Seyha, L., Haque, A.B., Fernando, D., Bineesh, K.K., Utzurrum, J.A.T., Yuneni, R.R. & Maung, A.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021:

(7)

4TH-ICFAES-2022

6

[19] M. A. MacNeil et al., "Global status and conservation potential of reef sharks," Nature, vol. 583, no. 7818, pp. 801–806, Jul. 2020, doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-2519-y.

[20] T. N. N. Abdullah, “Analisis Potensi dan Pengembangan Daya Tarik Pulau Mitita Sebagai Wisata Bahari di Kabupaten Pulau Morotai,” Program Studi Pariwisata Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata AMPTA Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, 2020.

[21] A. Chin, "Citizen Science," in Rapid Assessment Toolkit | Sharks and Rays, World Wide Fund for Nature, 2019.

[22] G. Araujo et al., "Population structure, residency patterns and movements of whale sharks in Southern Leyte, Philippines: results from dedicated photo-ID and citizen science: Whale sharks of Southern Leyte," Aquat. Conserv. Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst., vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 237–

252, Feb. 2017, doi: 10.1002/aqc.2636.

[23] A. O. Armstrong, A. J. Armstrong, M. B. Bennett, A. J. Richardson, K. A. Townsend, and C. L.

Dudgeon, "Photographic identification and citizen science combine to reveal long-distance movements of individual reef manta rays Mobula alfredi along Australia's east coast," Mar.

Biodivers. Rec., vol. 12, no. 1, p. 14, Dec. 2019, doi: 10.1186/s41200-019-0173-6.

[24] M.-P. Blanco-Parra, A. Argaez Gasca, C. A. Reyes Rincón, N. H. Gutiérrez Martínez, and C. A.

Niño-Torres, “Citizen Science as a Tool to Get Baseline Ecological and Biological Data on Sharks and Rays in a Data-Poor Region,” Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 11, p. 6490, May 2022, doi: 10.3390/su14116490.

[25] Shark Diving Indonesia, "EAGLE RAY FINDS ITS WAY," Shark Diving Indonesia, 2015.

https://sharkdivingindonesia.com/2015/01/24/eagle-ray-finds-its-way/ (accessed 15 December, 2022).

[26] D. Ahmad Mukharror, I. Tiara Baiti, M. Ichsan, N. Pridina, and S. Triutami, "Correlation Between Existence of Reef Sharks with Abundance of Reef Fishes in South Waters of Morotai Island (North Moluccas)," IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci., vol. 89, p. 012006, Oct. 2017, doi:

10.1088/1755-1315/89/1/012006.

[27] J. F. Sofyan, A. Ambariyanto, K. Suwartimah, and A. H. A. Toha, "Relationship between the biomass of reef shark and fish in South Morotai Waters, North Maluku, Indonesia,"

Biodiversitas J. Biol. Divers., vol. 21, no. 12, Nov. 2020, doi: 10.13057/biodiv/d211205.

[28] D. A. Mukharror, D. Susiloningtyas, T. Handayani, and N. Pridina, "Blacktip reefshark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) individual's identification in Morotai waters using its fin's natural markings," presented at the INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SCIENCE AND APPLIED SCIENCE (ICSAS) 2019, Surakarta, Indonesia, 2019, p. 020085. doi:

10.1063/1.5141698.

[29] M. W. Saputra, "Stimuli effects on the appearance of blacktip reef sharks in south waters of Morotai Island, Morotai Island Regency, North Maluku, Indonesia," p. 14, 2022.

[30] D. A. Mukharror, D. Susiloningtyas, and T. Handayani, "Blacktip Reefshark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) Movement Displays During Interaction with Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus Diver in Morotai Waters, Maluku Utara, Indonesia," J. Comput. Theor.

Nanosci., vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 1266–1270, Feb. 2020, doi: 10.1166/jctn.2020.8799.

[31] D. A. Mukharror, R. Fadli, and F. Ghiffari, "The COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on the absence of diver-shark interaction on blacktip reef shark's agonistic behaviour: Morotai case," IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci., vol. 777, no. 1, p. 012038, May 2021, doi:

10.1088/1755-1315/777/1/012038.

[32] W. B. Sentosa, I. Nurruhwati, I. M. Apriliani, and A. M. A. Khan, "Distribution of Blacktip Reef Sharks (Carcharinus melanopterus) Based on Habitat Characteristics by the Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) Method in Morotai Waters of North Maluku," Asian J. Fish.

Aquat. Res., pp. 34–50, Jul. 2020, doi: 10.9734/ajfar/2020/v7i330121.

[33] D. A. Mukharror, I. T. Baiti, S. A. Harahap, D. J. Prihadi, M. Ichsan, and N. Pridina, "First records of bentfin devil ray ( Mobula thurstoni ) and the examination in physical factors of its habitat in the western waters of Morotai Island (North Moluccas)," IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ.

Sci., vol. 137, p. 012048, Apr. 2018, doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/137/1/012048.