Tourism, climate put Indonesia's 'walking shark' under pressure

JAKARTA — The Raja Ampat epaulette shark, locally known as the "walking shark", is facing growing threats from tourism development and the impacts of climate change, prompting a push for concrete measures to protect the species' habitat and ensure its survival.

The shallow coastal waters of the Raja Ampat archipelago in Southwest Papua are home to the population of the shark Hemiscyllium freycineti, one of 10 known "walking shark" species discovered worldwide, six of which are mainly found in eastern Indonesian waters.

While it can swim, the small fish with a recognizable spotted pattern on its body is known for moving by using its pectoral and pelvic fins to "walk" across shallow reefs, a behavior earning it the moniker "walking shark".

A recently published study has found more biological and spatial ecological information about the shark, which has a population density of up to 2,462 individuals per square kilometer, the highest recorded globally for the genus.

The study, published in the Frontiers in Fish Science academic journal on June 17, suggested that coral reefs are mainly used by sharks as nursery habitats, or places where juveniles are produced. During an observation period from February 2024 to April 2025, researchers observed 69 percent of immature sharks in coral reefs.

Meanwhile, adults of the nocturnal fish were observed foraging among sea grass and mangrove roots.

Unlike many other marine animals, the Raja Ampat epaulette shark rarely travels far, with individuals tending to remain in the same area throughout their lives. The researchers found the maximum recorded movement of the shark was around 475 meters, with none observed moving between islands.

The lack of inter-site movement may leave the species more vulnerable to the smallest disturbances to their habitat, as the shark is unable to relocate when its home environmental conditions deteriorate, said Edy Setyawan of the Elasmobranch Institute Indonesia, the study's lead author.

He was most concerned about the rapid expansion of tourism infrastructure in Raja Ampat, particularly the construction of overwater accommodation in areas that serve as important feeding grounds for sharks, including in Arborek village, one of six study sites in the Dampier Strait.

"With the development of tourism in Raja Ampat, many homestays are being built above sea grass beds," Edy told The Jakarta Post.

"Those sea grass ecosystems are important habitats where 'walking sharks' forage for food. When they are damaged, the sharks lose their critical resources."

The sharks also face threats from climate change, especially rising seawater temperatures.

Edy's study suggested the fish can tolerate water temperatures up to 36 C, but scientists are concerned that global heating may increase the frequency of marine heat waves, which could affect the shark's health and long-term survival.

The walking shark also faces less visible threats from nutrient pollution caused by untreated wastewater generated by tourism activities in Raja Ampat, said marine ecologist and conservationist Agustin Capriati.

"Excess nutrients accelerate algae growth and damage coral reefs," said Agustin. "If coral ecosystems deteriorate, 'walking sharks' will gradually lose their habitats."

A 2023 Marine Affairs and Fisheries ministerial regulation designated "walking sharks" as a fully protected species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the species as "nearly threatened".

Limitations of regulation

But Edy argued the regulation only prohibits people from catching or consuming the fish, and that it lacks a clear plan to conserve the species on the ground.

"In practice, people know the species exists," Edy said, "but conservation efforts remain limited because the fish is not viewed as having economic value".

Sarminto Hadi, the ministry's director of species and genetic conservation, said the protected status was intended to prevent direct commercial exploitation of the species in its natural habitat.

The policy, he added, was based on scientific assessments highlighting the species' vulnerability due to its inability to migrate when its habitat is disturbed.

Agustin noted that conservation regulations remain poorly enforced in most marine protected areas across the country, including in the Dampier Strait. Further monitoring is needed, she added, to ensure the long-term survival of "walking sharks" with tourism development in Raja Ampat continuing to expand.

Raja Ampat made headlines in May 2025 following protests by the environmental group Greenpeace over an Indonesian state-owned company's nickel mining on Gag Island, located about 50 kilometers from Arborek Island, and the threat it posed to marine biodiversity in the region.

The government suspended mining operations following the outcry, then allowed them to resume last September.

THE JAKARTA POST, INDONESIA