Nebrius ferrugineus (Chondrichthyes: Orectolobiformes: Ginglymostomatidae) record and the role of citizen science for conservation in Morotai North Maluku Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Nebrius ferrugineus, or tawny nurse shark, is a species of carpet shark distributed across the tropical Indo-Pacific region. This species has little species-specific information on biology and fisheries. The tawny nurse shark is listed as “Vulnerable” on IUCN Redlist and is rarely seen, recorded, and studied in Indonesia. We recorded this species during SCUBA diving in Morotai waters in April 2022. Recorded live encounters by SCUBA diving activities in Indonesia are even more scarce. In Morotai, North Maluku, this species anecdotally exists by reports from SCUBA divers, however, have not been documented very well. Scientific record of this species is highly important for conservation and habitat management. The government of Indonesia also recognised the significance of biodiversity and potential marine tourism in Morotai by declaring 65,520.75 hectares of Marine Protected Area (MPA) named Taman Wisata Perairan (TWP) Pulau Rao - Tanjung Dehegila. This MPA focuses on protecting marine biodiversity, historical object preservation (World War II underwater relics) and sustainable small-scale fisheries. However, species-specific protection for tawny nurse sharks does not exist in Indonesia. In Morotai, where this species is recorded, marine protected areas are only effective in conserving shark if it is sufficiently large, well-enforced, and monitored.