Illicit capture of whale sharks in Indonesia continues despite ban

Despite a 2013 ban on the capture, trade, and exploitation of whale sharks in Indonesia, a study reveals that these protected species continue to be butchered and sold along the southeastern coast of Java Island, either after beaching or unintentional capture by fishers. Records from 2002 to 2022 document this illegal exploitation. The study emphasises the need for increased awareness and law enforcement by conservation authorities to address this ongoing issue. Indonesia's extensive coastline serves as a habitat and migratory route for marine megafauna, making the preservation of species including whale sharks critical. (Mongabay)