Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery (StAR) Project

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© Georgia Aquarium

100

Partners

11

Breeding Institutions

20

Countries involved

In recent years, zebra shark populations in Raja Ampat (West Papua province, Indonesia) have undergone dramatic declines in the wake of threats like habitat degradation and overharvesting due to shark finning.

Zebra sharks are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Raja Ampat contains an extensive network of some of the world’s most well-enforced marine protected areas. These measures have enabled the dramatic recoveries of other shark species, however the Eastern Indonesian-Oceania subpopulation of zebra sharks remains on the brink of extinction.

Due to a slow population growth rate, which is common for most shark species, conservation actions including fisheries regulations and the creation of marine protected areas have not been sufficient for recovery of this species. Research and conservation planning have revealed that the species is unlikely to recover without additional intervention (see the Population Viability Analysis report).

StAR Project, led by the West Papua Provincial Government and the Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia aims to recover zebra shark populations that are important for healthy marine ecosystems. This project involves multiple partners' collaboration at the global and national levels to ensure zebra shark species are recovered and protected for the long-term benefit of the Indonesian people.

Experts conceived that leveraging the proven breeding success and husbandry expertise of accredited aquariums could be critical in the recovery of this species. Through genetic testing, adult sharks from the Eastern Indonesian-Oceania subpopulation have been identified at accredited facilities around the world. These broodstock are being purpose-bred for the StAR project.

ReShark is thankful for the incredible support for the project from the Province of West Papua as an international leader and partner that is dedicated to collaborating and bringing innovation to the conservation of this species in Indonesia.

Founders

Steering Committee

  • Dr. Erin Meyer

    2020 - Present
    Co-Chair, StAR Project Steering Committee
    Chief Conservation Officer, Seattle Aquarium

  • Nesha Ichida

    2020 - Present
    Co-Chair, StAR Project Steering Committee
    Program Manager for StAR Project Indonesia, Thrive Conservation

  • Abraham Sianipar

    2020 - Present
    Co-Founder and Executive Director, Elasmobranch Institute Indonesia

  • Dr. Alistair Dove

    2020 - Present
    Chief Executive Officer, Museum of Science & History

  • Dr. Caitlin Hadfield

    2023 - Present
    Chair, StAR Project Veterinary Working Group
    Director of Animal Health, Seattle Aquarium

  • Dr. Christine Dudgeon

    2020 - Present
    Co-Chair, StAR Project Research Working Group
    Senior Research Fellow, University of the Sunshine Coast & The University of Queensland

  • Leah Neal

    2023 - Present
    Chair, StAR Project Husbandry Working Group
    Curator of Fishes and Invertebrates, Georgia Aquarium

  • Dr. Mark Erdmann

    2020 - Present
    Vice President of Asia-Pacific Marine Programs, Conservation International

  • May Metavee Chuangcharoendee

    2024 - Present
    Program Manager for StAR Project Thailand, WildAid

  • Mochamad Iqbal Herwata

    2020 - Present
    Focal Species Conservation Senior Manager, Konservasi Indonesia

Meet The Sharks

  • Lingka ♀

    Publicly named by the local community in Indonesia
    DOB: 27.04.2024
    Location: Misool Foundation nursery
    Origin: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

  • Spotty Dotty ♀

    DOB: 23.04.2024
    Location: Misool Foundation nursery
    Origin: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

  • Wooly ♂

    DOB: 21.04.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Georgia Aquarium

  • Ethan ♂

    DOB: 20.04.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Georgia Aquarium

  • Myra ♀

    DOB: 07.04.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

  • James ♂

    DOB: 16.03.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Luan ♀

    DOB: 15.03.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Fijubeca ♂

    DOB: 15.03.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Karen ♀

    DOB: 15.03.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Claudio ♂

    DOB: 12.03.2024
    Location: Misool Foundation nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Katrine ♀

    DOB: 11.03.2024
    Location: Misool Foundation nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Dawn ♀

    DOB: 08.03.2024
    Location: Misool Foundation nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Lydia ♀

    DOB: 07.03.2024
    Location: Misool Foundation nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Dylan ♂

    DOB: 05.03.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Kris ♂

    Named in honor of Kristian Thebu
    DOB: 04.03.2024
    Location: Misool Foundation nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Charlotte ♀

    DOB: 29.02.2024
    Location: Misool Foundation nursery
    Origin: Carins Marine

  • Camille ♀

    DOB: 28.02.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Anselm ♂

    DOB: 26.02.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Seren ♂

    DOB: 21.02.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Sayan ♂

    DOB: 21.02.2024
    Location: Misool Foundation nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Jill ♀

    DOB: 18.02.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Bee ♀

    DOB: 17.02.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Christina ♀

    DOB: 16.02.2024
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Taran ♂

    DOB: 10.02.2024
    Location: Misool Foundation nursery
    Origin: Cairns Marine

  • Buddy ♀

    DOB: 18.11.2023
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

  • Marshal ♀

    DOB: 07.11.2023
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

  • Mali ♀

    DOB: 17.01.2023
    Location: Misool Foundation nursery
    Origin: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

  • Charlie ♂

    DOB: 25.09.2022
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

  • Kathlyn ♀

    DOB: 17.09.2022
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

  • Audrey ♀

    DOB: 17.09.2022
    Location: RARCC nursery
    Origin: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

The Process

  • 1. Lay

    Eggs laid in scientifically-managed populations in aquariums around the world

  • 2. Ship

    Eggs transported to local hatcheries in Indonesia

  • 3. Care

    Local teams manage the care and welfare of eggs and pups

  • 4. Release

    Juveniles assessed, tagged and released into designated marine protected areas

  • 5. Monitor

    Long term monitoring of individual sharks and population recovery

  • 6. Educate

    Educate local communities about the ecological importance of sharks and the recovery effort.

Videos