As sea dragons are found all over the world, Australian researchers including Dr Kyne are on very important research expeditions. Their mission is to protect the clown wedgefish, one of the rarest vertebrate species on Earth. Scientists first recognized this distinctive fish, Rhynchobatus cooki, from fish market records in Singapore. Over the past few years, they’ve taken that vision to Jakarta as well. The clown wedgefish is listed as Vulnerable, with the main threats to its survival being overfishing and destruction of its habitat. Conservationists are moving quickly to save this species.
Dr. Kyne’s team has dedicated the past six years to studying the rhino ray family, which includes the clown wedgefish. In 2019, a researcher discovered the first dead clown wedgefish ever recorded at a fish market in Singapore. This jarring find set off red flags regarding the species’ waning numbers. Scientists point out that Indonesia is a global shark and ray catch leader. This unfortunate circumstance poses grave threats to rhino rays residing in the area.
The Urgency of Research
As one of the principal researchers on the project, Dr. Kyne is currently continuing clown wedgefish habitat mapping. The team isn’t just protecting Makoko and other rhino rays. This mapping is crucial for understanding where these species can thrive and what measures need to be implemented for their conservation.
Dr. Kyne added that the long-term output of working with these threatened species is knowledge. This understanding will be crucial in directing recovery efforts for these species. The team believes that by gathering scientific data, they can aid managers in effectively conserving and recovering these endangered species.
Native local researcher Benaya Simeon further explains that tapping local ecological knowledge is critical to foundational work that supports their mission. It’s very difficult to do biological and ecological research in Indonesia,” he stated, “So I lean heavily, I depend heavily, on the local ecological knowledge of the fishers themselves—they are the eyes and ears of our scientific endeavors.” This partnership illustrates the critical role that community perspectives need to play in scientific studies.
Threats to Rhino Rays
The fate of rhino rays like the clown wedgefish is grim. According to Dr. Kyne, “If there’s any species that could go extinct within my lifetime it’s within the rhino ray group.” David Ebert has put that sentiment in strong and absolute terms. He went on to characterize rhino rays as “the most endangered group of shark or ray in the world.”
Overfishing and habitat loss are the biggest factors pushing these species towards extinction. Oberst is looking to change that, and Ebert highlights some pretty alarming statistics. To 80 percent of the fisheries production the alarm, red, ringing alarm that has run out in just 10 years, he says. Such drastic declines underscore the need for immediate action to save these imperiled species.
Benaya Simeon further stressed the significance of preserving rhino rays in Indonesia’s waters: “It’s such a privilege to have rhino rays in your waters, but it doesn’t mean they will be safe here forever if people didn’t do anything to protect the species.” This declaration was a recognition of our joint global responsibility to protect marine biodiversity.
Conservation Efforts and Future Directions
Dr. Kyne’s work doesn’t just stop at research. He is hands-on in the field rescuing at-risk marine life. He’s recently got upstream of a giant largetooth sawfish stranded in a drying billabong in the Northern Territory’s Daly River region. The largetooth sawfish (Pristis pristis) is listed as critically endangered. The loss of this species to our earth reflects a larger crisis impacting the entire rhino ray family.
Of the 68 known species of rhino rays, three-quarters are now at risk of extinction globally. Dr. Kyne emphasizes that continued research is essential: “These species need ongoing attention to ensure their survival.” He emphasized the importance of Australia being a “lifeboat” area for many of these listed endangered species.
The team is intent on reaching the right policymakers and stakeholders with their findings. Like Zimanga, they’re seeking to be part of driving positive change for rhino ray conservation. They want to impact management practices by providing good scientific research. It’s a transition that will bring us to an era of more sustainable fishing and improved habitat protection.
