Characteristics and the appearance of new whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) as a unique phenomenon in the Kwatisore waters within the Cenderawasih Bay National Park area, Papua

Abstract

Research on whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) was conducted from September 1st to December 20th, 2020 in Kwatisore waters. Kwatisore waters are within the conservation area of the Cenderawasih Bay National Park and have specifications for the number of whale sharks and the appearance of new individuals. The appearance of whale sharks individuals takes place every day around the boat life net area that is anchored in Kwatisore waters. This study aims to assess whale shark aggregation, particularly the total appearances and number of individual appearances in eight boat life net units. The number of appearances and the number of individual whale sharks is very dependent on the catch of anchovies by each boat life net unit and the feed of anchovies given by the fishermen. The results showed that there were 499 appearances of whale sharks consisting of 15 individuals, of which 13 individuals were identified, while 2 were new individuals who had not been identified. The new individual for ID 182 is named Yan Maruanaya and ID 183 is named Bram Maruanaya. The percentage of whale sharks appears during the period of September to December 2020 is 100% male with a length of 3 to 6 m.

Preliminary Monitoring of Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) Migration Patterns in the Waters Botubarani Village Gorontalo Based on Satellite Marker Monitoring

“…The phenomenon that can be seen is during the nike fish season. Maruanaya, et al (2022) reported that the number of individuals appearing in Kwatisore waters is closely related to the catch of anchovies by Bagan fishermen.…”

Occurrence of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the Kwatisore Waters within the Cenderawasih Bay National Park as a basis for carrying capacity estimations and assessments for ecotourism suitability

“…The appearance of whale sharks in Kwatisore waters occurs every day and is not dependent on the season [8]. The concentration of whale sharks' appearance is near the Bagan area, where it is closely related to the capture and feeding of anchovies by the fishermen [16]. Whale sharks are attracted by the concentrations of pelagic fish and consume anchovies (Engraulis australis) near the area of Whale Island, in the Plenty Bay New Zealand [13,14].…”

“…Kwatisore waters is the only area for anchovy fishing which can be carried out at any time in the lift net boat. The stocks availability of natural anchovy in Kwatiosre waters is the main food for whale sharks thus it makes Kwatisore waters a key foraging site [16]. The increasing frequency of whale shark appearances in Kwatisore waters is correlated with the increasing in anchovy catches while one of the factors that causes the lack of intensity of whale shark appearances on the surface is the reduced numbers of anchovy in Kwatisore waters [7,11].…”

“…A study during the period of January to December 2020 showed that there were 690 appearances of whale sharks in the morning, 135 appearances in the noon and 198 appearances in the afternoon with the conditions of Cenderawasih Bay sea surface temperature (SST) during 2020 around 28-33°C and chlorophyll-a is approximately from 0-12.96 mg/m 3 [8]. The time of the whale sharks' appearances at 06.00 WIT to 12.00 WIT are the best time to see them [22,16]. The aggregation of whale sharks in the lift net boat to consume the food provided by fishermen has a pattern of queuing system, where these individuals are switching their turn [8].…”

“…The results of the Nabire Region 1 National Park Management Division monitoring reported that in September 2020, one new individual was identified. Another study[16] recorded two new individuals with ID number 182 (named Yan Maruanaya) and ID number 183 (named Bram Maruanaya). Whale sharks from Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia migrate horizontally and enter Indonesian waters…”