New Species Found in Indonesian Waters

The waters around the archipelago of Indonesia abound with a vast array of fish species and some mighty weird creatures. A recent survey of fish markets in the country has delivered quite a few surprises.

The five-year survey of catches at local fish markets provided the first detailed description of Indonesia’s shark and ray fauna – information which is critical to their management in Indonesia and Australia.

At least 20 previously unknown species of sharks and rays have been found during a survey of local fish markets in Indonesia, scientists say.

So far six of the new species have been described in scientific journals. These include the Bali Catshark, the Jimbaran shovelnose ray, and the Hortle’s Whipray

Based on the survey’s findings, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research has published a 330-page, full-colour, bilingual ‘field guide’ entitled: Economically Important Sharks and Rays of Indonesia.