Misool bluewater shark baitball: A sign of conservation success in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Oceanic blacktip, greyish reef, and possible bull sharks become a member of bonito as they follow fleeing sardines
There's been very much to commemorate about the incredible restoration of reefs, reef seafood and reef sharks within the Misool Sea Reserve positioned in Southeast Raja Ampat, Indonesia within the last decade, mainly because of the steadfast enforcement work of Misool's community ranger patrols. That which was once a bastion for shark finners, dynamite anglers, turtle poachers,

There is currently a great large quantity and variety of reef sharks and reef seafood in Misool's waters
After the site of an shark finning camp, Misool's lagoon is currently a nursery for baby blacktip reef sharks

But what was not discussed is what's occurring in the blue normal water, or pelagic areas, within this significant 1220 sq kilometres protected area. Earlier this Apr, having just delivered to Misool's jetty after and another outstanding dive with oceanic manta rays over a renowned seamount within the reserve, I discovered a disruption on the top with wild birds in chase, simply a few hundred meters south of the jetty. We raced from the dive sensitive to investigate, so when I jumped in to the water, I learned bonito and a large number of sharks hammering a frantic sardine bait ball! We were holding not only the normal reef sharks entirely on Misool's reefs, but instead I came across myself encircled by oceanic blacktip sharks, gray reef sharks, and what were several bull sharks - a types I had professionally never observed in Raja Ampat, and possessed thought to be effectively depleted beyond restoration within the reserve!

Sharks spiral up from the depths to prey on the baitball

Over ten years ago when we started out the Misool Sea Reserve task, shark populations were so greatly depleted which i never imagined I'd see something so stunning as shark baitball within the reserve.  Beyond the thrilling experience and interesting imagery, this face recommended that the benefits associated with larger coastal sea reserves might increase beyond the reefs and in to the blue.

Sharks and bonito continue their frenzied assault on the hapless sardine baitball

When contemplating seaside sea reserves, we often consider the effect on kinds and habitats that are readably accessible and measurable, notably corals, sea grasses, mangroves and reef seafood types. What isn't as noticeable, but possibly just as important, are advantages to the greater pelagic kinds such as sharks, rays and tuna. There exists mounting research that some types of oceanic sharks and oceanic manta rays spend a substantial amount their amount of time in certain near-coastal habitats.

Oceanic manta rays execute a elegant ballet above a seamount in the Misool Sea Reserve

The shark baitball I experienced in Misool is living proof the outstanding resilience of the oceans, and an important reminder that people can make a genuine difference, only if we give aspect a preventing chance

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