BANDARLAMPUNG - The Bengkulu Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) mentioned two possible causes for the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) being caught by a payang fishing net on the Sukaraja sea coast, Bandarlampung City, Lampung.
"There are two possibilities, firstly, sharks can reach shallow seas, maybe because they are looking for food or chasing their prey here," said Public Relations of the Conservation Section III of the Lampung BKSDA Bengkulu, Irhamuddin in Bandarlampung, quoted by Antara, Thursday, November 25.
Payang is a fishing tool in the form of a bag trawl to catch schools of surface fish.
Another possibility is that due to the cold temperatures in deep sea waters, this shark came to the surface looking for warmer temperatures.
In addition, it is also possible that these sharks are migrating with their group and then lost navigation, confusing them when they leave the group.
"Actually there are other possibilities, such as the condition of sick and old whale sharks, but this is far from that because with the naked eye, I see these fish are healthy," said Irhamuddin.
Regarding whether the Sukaraja Sea is a habitat for whale sharks, BKSDA cannot confirm yet because there is no research and data on this matter.
"We don't know whether this is their habitat or not, but it could be that these are immigrants from the whale shark unit to move," said Irhamuddin.
BKSDA appeals to the public not to harm the whale sharks that have been caught because these animals are protected under the Decree (SK) of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Number 18 of 2013.
"Yes, there was a time when the children climbed the back of the fish. Although the intention was good to lead it to the middle but it was very dangerous not only for the children but also for the whale sharks. We have told the fishermen here not to hurt this whale shark because it is one of the protected animals," continued Irhamuddin.
Meanwhile, the Chief Fisherman of Sukaraja, Muryadi, admitted that in the Sukaraja sea, large whales are often caught by the payang fishing nets.
"It's been many times, every year someone is caught in the net, but the most and often this year and this month," he said.
He also said that in the past week, more than five sharks, often referred to by local residents as "Skandar Fish", have been caught by payang fishermen.
"It's already three of you when the fishermen pulled the payang net, whale sharks were also caught," he said.
Every time a Skandar fish is caught by the payang, the fishermen work hand in hand to release it.
"Yes, we will release it again, if it is only stuck in the fishing net, it will be released in the middle of the sea, but if it enters the net, we have to pull it to the edge first and then together we release the net and lead the fish into the middle of the sea," he said.
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