Jakarta, Sept. 17 -- The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is evaluating the 2021-2025 National Action Plan (RAN) for Whale Shark Conservation and developing a new strategy for the conservation and management of this protected species for the 2026-2029 period.

The ministry's Director of Species and Genetic Conservation, Sarmintohadi, said that whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are a fully protected species and included on the IUCN Red List and CITES appendices.

According to him, whale shark protection is not merely about species conservation, but also related to the health of marine ecosystems and food security.

"Whale shark conservation governance must be improved with a more systematic strategy. Factors such as limited emergency ...