Reported by Anggi Kusuma Putri
[Unpad Media Channel] The research team of Universitas Padjadjaran does a research about the origin of manta ray in Indonesia. Not only in Indonesia, but the research initiated by Newcastle University is also a collaboration research conducted by several countries in the world, such as Zanzibar, Maldives, and several coastal countries in East Africa.
“From this research, we want to know whether the manta ray population in Indonesia is from the same population of the other country or not,” explained a professor from the Faculty of Fishery and Marine Science at Universitas Padjadjaran, Alexander M. A. Khan, M.Si., Ph.D., in the “Hard Talk” event titled “Better the Devil You Know: Addressing Key Data Gaps for the Effective Management of Devil Rays in the Indian Ocean”, Wednesday (2/1/2024).
Alex explained that manta rays belonged to the fish species that migrate from one region to another within a stretch of the ocean (migratory fish). Therefore, this collective research aims to identify the origin of manta rays in Indonesia and those found in other regions.
Alex also explained that the research involving some professors from Unpad was related to more than biological aspects or DNA identification from merely manta rays. This research also has a social and economic approach to society.
“Because, as it turns out, even though this is bycatch, it still has a market value. So, the fishers feel that if we release it at sea, even though it is alive, we incur losses because they can sell it in the market,” explained Alex.
Not only that, but the social and economic approach conducted in the research aims to give fishers comprehension of manta ray species that the government protects.
“If we keep advocating fishers, hopefully they will release it (manta ray),” he said.
Alex mentioned that the research location was chosen in Palabuhan Ratu and Cilacap after considering various factors. One of them is based on research results, which found some centers for unintentional manta ray capture in Indonesia.
Alex also said that this research results in many studies on a smaller scale. University students does one of the mini researches to identify the manta ray stomach contents. The research result is information about the feeding habits of manta rays.
“We know the feeding habit, so that later we can conclude that this type of plankton must be part of conservation for certain habitat areas. We maintain their habitat to prevent plankton booms, prevent a decrease in plankton density levels, and so on,” he explained.
Besides, other gathered information compares ray DNA, which is located in Cilacap and Palabuhanratu. This research yielded results that both are indeed similar and come from the same population.
“The larger publication will involve information from all countries participating in the research. Whether they come from the same population, and we also want to know the oceanographic conditions most suitable for their habitat,” he continued. (art/SA)*
