The Charm Of The Running Shark, TNTC Center Reveals Its Attractiveness For Tourists

Head of the Cendrawasih National Park Supartono when met by media crews in Manokwari, West Papua, Saturday (22/2/2025). (DOC. ANTARA)

MANOKWARI - A walking shark species (Emiscyllium gatei) that is designated as a priority animal, has an attraction for diving lovers. This was revealed by the Cendrawasih Bay National Park Center (TNTC).

Head of the TNTC Center Supartono in Manokwari, West Papua, Saturday, said the walking shark was a nocturnal animal that was active in moving at night.

Although not as popular as whale sharks, the ongoing shark is able to attract the attention of tourists who like night diving activities in the Cendrawasih Bay National Park area.

"The theme of walking as an endemic species has the potential to increase the visit time for diving tourists," said Supartono, quoted from ANTARA, Saturday, February 22.

In the long term, he said, the determination of the status of ongoing shark management is expected to have an economic impact on the community along the coast of the Cendrawasih Bay area.

The TNTC Center continues to educate the public to play an active role in preserving the ecosystem for the survival of animals that fall into the priority management category.

"So far, sharks are not running as targets for fishing and instead have the potential for ecotourism and research activities.

In addition, he said, the determination of the status of increased management into priority animals is expected to support the vision and mission of the TNTC Center as a shark research center in eastern Indonesia.

However, his party still anticipates the potential threat faced by ongoing sharks, namely anthropogenic activities such as non-environmental arrests.

Then, development activities in coastal areas result in environmental degradation, climate change, and coral bleaching that threatens the working shark population.

"Other utilizations carried out by the local community are still traditional and do not touch the realm of commercial," he said.

Supartono said there were approximately nine types of sharks running, and six species were spread across the waters of Papua, Halmahera and the Aru Islands with four types of endemic status.

Covering the Halmahera Walk Shark (Heriscyllium Halmahera), Raja Ampat Running Shark (Heriscyllium Freycineti), Cenderawasih Bay Running Shark (Heriscyllium Galei), and Triton Bay Running Shark (Heriscyllium Henryi).

"The running tiger has the general name Teluk Cenderawasih Epaulette Shark, and the local name gurano makumberepi," said Supartono.