Authors: I.A. Lochana Dewi and Donny Bessie (Artha Wacana Christian University)

Indonesia, as one of the countries concerned with shark conservation and management, has ratified the International Plan of Action (IPOA) agreed by UN countries through FAO in 1999 and implemented in the form of developing a National Work Plan for Shark Management (National Plan of ActionNPOA). In the work plan, stingrays were added, with the consideration that stingrays are in the same family as sharks and have a high threat level. The continuation of the NPOA, which ended in 2014, was the development of the National Action Plan (NAP) for Shark and Ray Management for the period 2016-2020. The NAP document for Shark and Ray Management for 2016-2020 was prepared as a reference for various parties in developing and implementing shark and ray conservation and management programs.

The synergy of shark and ray management needs to be carried out to identify policies and regulations that already exist and/or are in the initiation stage at the district, and provincial levels. Shark conservation and management in districts and provinces should be integrated and not done partially. The role of the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP NTT) is very important to connect and integrate policies and regulations in districts/cities in NTT.

Synergy of Shark and Ray Management in East Nusa Tenggara Province

Given the importance of integrated management between the center, provinces and districts, the Synergy of Shark and Ray Management in East Nusa Tenggara Province from May 31 to June 1, 2016 was held. This activity was organized in collaboration with WWF-Indonesia and the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science of Artha Wacana Christian University. The provincial government, district governments, academics, mass media representatives, and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) working on natural resources and environmental management attended the event. This activity itself was held to equalize understanding between stakeholders in shark and ray management and develop follow-up plans at the provincial and district levels in East Nusa Tenggara.
DKP NTT realizes that policies and regulations related to shark and ray management are not yet available. However, the commitment of DKP NTT to start a shark and ray management program was clearly illustrated during the discussion. The discussion on policies at the provincial level in relation to shark and ray management resulted in three recommendations, namely:

1. Strengthening regulations and policies on shark management and habitat at the provincial level based on Fisheries Management Areas (WPPs);
2. Technical data collection of sharks, rays and their habitats;
3. Identification and mapping of local wisdom on shark and ray management.

With the commitment of the provincial government through the Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in the discussion session, it provides its own relief considering that several districts already have policies and regulations. Therefore, a legal umbrella for shark and ray management at the provincial level needs to be established to accommodate policies and regulations at the district level on the same activities. West Manggarai Regency and East Flores Regency. The final result of the activity was an agreement on a follow-up plan signed by representatives of the provincial government, districts, academics, and NGOs.

This activity is expected to be the first step in integrated shark and ray management, both at the district and provincial levels. By doing so, it will create a synergy for the sustainable management of sharks and rays at the provincial level, and strengthen the same management policy at the national level.