IPB Team Studies Genetics of Whale Shark in Berau, East Kalimantan

 

Research Team of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) of the Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity and Biosystematics, Department of Marine Science and Technology (Lab BIODIV – ITK), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK), conducted a study of genetic diversity of shark whales in Talisayan, Berau Regency of East Kalimantan. This study is a collaboration with the Work Unit of Balikpapan of the Pontianak Coastal and Marine Resources Management Agency, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in the third week of August 2015.

 

"On this occasion we are taking tissue samples from all the whale sharks found in Talisayan and then later analyze them in the lab. Genetic information strongly supports the conservation of fish that have been protected by the Indonesian laws." said Dr. Hawis Madduppa, Head of Lab BIODIV – ITK. 

 

Head of the Work Unit of Balikpapan, AM. Isaac Y, S.Kel, M.Si revealed that this activity is a continuation from 2014 to invite more teams to participate. This activity entitled "Survey and Monitoring of Whale Shark" in Talisayan, Berau Regency of East Kalimantan is a joint activity of various agencies. The parties involved, among others, ITK-IPB, Mulawarman University, Whale Shark Indonesia (WS-ID), WWF Indonesia, Conservation International (CI) and Government of Berau regency.

 

Post-graduate student of Marine Sciences, Mahardika Rizki Hima, who is also chairman of the Whale Shark Indonesia, has carried out a study on whale sharks biorcology for two months in Talisayan. Talisayan is one of four targeted sites in the research. On this occasion IPB team also put OCEANTags as individual markers of three whale sharks.

 

Abraham Sianipar of CI said that on this occasion they managed to put a geotag on the female whale shark. Further, Yunda Zuliarsih of Berau Local Government hopes that the results of this survey can become a foundation in making policies on the management of whale sharks in Talisayan. (Mtd)

 

Tag: IPB Graduate School of Marine Sciences, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biosystematics of IPB, Department of Marine Science and Technology of IPB, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences of IPB, Dr. Hawis Madduppa