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The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia and the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society’s) Wildlife Crimes Unit announced the largest confiscation of illegal manta ray parts as part of a major enforcement action against illegal trade of sharks and rays in Indonesia, home to the largest shark fisheries on earth.
The most recent arrest, which took place Friday, November 7th, yielded the largest number of confiscated manta gill plates ever for Indonesia, involving a shipment of 103 kg (227 pounds) of gill plates. The arrest took place in suspect’s Shr’s house near Pengambengan Negara fisheries landing area in Bali.
The recent enforcement action follows three arrests earlier this month and in October involving illegal trade of manta ray meat and gill plates, sawfish snouts, and sea turtle meat.
Under Indonesian law, trafficking manta rays, their parts and by products is punishable with a penalty of 6 years maximum imprisonment and a maximum fine of USD $125,000; while for sea turtles and sawfish, the penalty is a maximum 5 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of USD $10,000.
“Today we have managed to thwart the illegal trading of a protected species which is part of world’s charismatic species diversity and nature’s heritage,” said Indonesia’s new Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Susu Pudjiastuti. “MMAF will continue the public campaign until all related stakeholders including fishermen and traders received clear information on the regulation.”
Joe Walston, WCS Vice President of Field Conservation, said: “This largest-ever confiscation of manta ray parts is showing the world that Indonesia is serious about enforcing this new law to protect this species from wildlife trafficking. We commend our partners in making these arrests.”
