Whale Sharks Spotted in Jakarta’s Thousand Islands: Explanation from Provincial Government of DKI

Jakarta –

sighting whale shark (Rhincodon typus) appeared in the sea Thousand Islands viral on social media. Here’s the explanation from the Provincial Government of DKI.

In the video circulating on social media, as seen detikcom, Monday (5/6/2023), the fish appears in the middle of the sea. The video recorder said there were about eight leopard whale sharks that surfaced. The incident is said to have occurred on Saturday (3/6) morning.

Head of DKI Jakarta Food Security, Maritime Affairs and Agriculture (KPKP) Office, Suharini, gave an explanation regarding the emergence of this rare species. Eli said the species was crossing the migration route.

“The presence of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the waters of the Thousand Islands has happened before in the last few years, there are indications that this area is one of the migration routes of whale sharks,” Suharini told reporters, Monday (5/6).

Suharini said the appearance of the whale shark indicated that Jakarta’s sea conditions were clean and well-maintained. The species eats small fish.

“There are small fish as a source of food. This indicates that the condition of the Seribu Islands sea waters is still maintained,” he said.

DKI Pemprov Asks People Not To Disturb Whale Sharks

On the other hand, Suharini appealed to the public or fishermen who were passing by not to disturb the presence of whale sharks. This is because these animals are classified as endangered and protected species.

“With the presence of whale sharks, it is hoped that fishermen and other communities will not bump into and disturb these animals and not catch them because this animal has an endangered status and is a nationally protected animal through Decree of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 18 of 2013 concerning Establishment of Full Protection Status. Whale sharks and even internationally by IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature),” he added.

For your information, the whale shark is the largest fish species. The black and white-colored species do not eat human flesh, but instead eat plankton.

(taa/maa)