Indonesia is known as a maritime country, with nearly two-thirds of its territory covered by ocean, home to an abundance of fish species. It is estimated that Indonesian waters, stretching from Sabang to Merauke, are home to around 8,500 fish species. This incredible marine biodiversity places Indonesia among the world's largest fishery producers. However, limited fisheries management poses a serious risk, leading to overfishing—a condition where fish stocks are exploited at a rate exceeding their natural reproduction.

Guitarfish, locally known as Pari Kekeh, is one of the most heavily exploited fish species both globally and in Indonesia, leading to its classification as endangered. Guitarfish are a group of cartilaginous fish that inhabit coastal areas down to depths of 100 meters. This makes them especially vulnerable to being caught by fishing gear that operates on the seabed. Three species are found in Indonesia: the Giant Guitarfish (Glaucostegus typus), the Clubnose Guitarfish (Glaucostegus thouin), and the Widenose Guitarfish (Glaucostegus obtusus).

Despite their critical status—listed under Appendix II of CITES and categorized as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List — management of these species in Indonesia remains limited. Many landings, involving specimens of all sizes, occur without proper monitoring or oversight from authorities.

In Indonesia, guitarfish can be found in several regions, including the northern part of Java, where the Karimunjawa National Park is located. Local communities report that certain areas within Karimunjawa’s waters serve as habitats for these species due to suitable environmental conditions. Night-time spearfishers often encounter and sometimes catch guitarfish. According to them, almost every part of the guitarfish is utilized, particularly the fins, which are highly valued in the fin trade market. These fins are often used to make shark fin soup, as they share a similar composition to shark fins but are believed to have an even higher hisite content.

Unfortunately, a lack of knowledge and awareness about guitarfish has jeopardized their sustainability. Many people are unaware that the species is endangered.

Elasmobranch Project Indonesia’s Efforts

Efforts to protect guitarfish are ongoing, driven by research and conservation initiatives. Since 2022, Elasmobranch Project Indonesia (EPI) has led the first guitarfish research and conservation project in Karimunjawa National Park.

Our journey began with mapping the distribution of guitarfish in Karimunjawa. We engaged with local communities, providing training on elasmobranch conservation, with a special focus on guitarfish. Additionally, EPI introduced the Elasmo-Peers program, training local individuals interested in shark and ray research and conservation.

This marks the start of EPI’s conservation journey, with a focus on gathering baseline information and building community capacity. We hope these efforts will lay a strong foundation for the continued protection of guitarfish in Karimunjawa—and across Indonesia.

Lufni Fauzil Adhim
Intern Team BRUV - 2022

Translated by M. Nadia