Sea yields new wonders
2006-09-18 09:40
Oslo - Scientists said on Monday they
found two types of shark, exotic "flasher" fish and corals among
52 new species in seas off Indonesia, confirming the western
Pacific as the richest marine habitat on Earth.
They urged more protection for seas around the Bird's Head
peninsula at the western end of New Guinea island from threats
including mining and dynamite fishing that can smash coral
reefs.
"We feel very confident that this is the epicentre of marine
biodiversity" in the world, said Mark Erdmann, a US scientist at Conservation International who led two surveys this year.
The scientists found 24 new species of fish, including two
types of epaulette shark, slim and spotty growing up to about
1.2 metres long. Among other finds were 20 new species of
coral and eight previously unknown types of shrimp.
"It's especially stunning to find sharks - these are higher level creatures, not bacteria or worms," Erdmann said. The sharks get their name from markings on their sides like
epaulettes - decorations on the shoulders of military uniforms.
The researchers also found new species of "flasher" wrasse fish. The males, which keep harems of several females, suddenly
"flash" bright yellows, blues, pinks or other colours on their
bodies, apparently as part of a sex ritual.
Erdmann said the region, covering about 18 000 sq km, had a greater concentration of species than
Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
He said a new type of fusilier fish, also known as
yellowtail, was the only species that could be used for human
food found in the two surveys, lasting a total of about six
weeks.
"But there's a concern that some might become targets as
aquarium fish," he said.
He said Indonesia's Fisheries Ministry wanted to increase
the number of marine protected areas, currently covering only 11%
of the area around the peninsula.
"We are very concerned about the potential impact of planned
commercial fisheries expansion in the region," said Paulus Boli,
a State University of Papua researcher.
Threats include human migration to the little-developed
region that could put pressure on the healthy reefs. Any logging
or mining on the steep coastal hillsides might spur runoff of
muddy sediments that can choke corals.
Erdmann said the area surveyed was the centre of a "Coral
Triangle" - between Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New
Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Around the Bird's Head peninsula
there were 1 223 species of fish and 600 types of corals.
The Great Barrier Reef, covering an area 10 times bigger,
has slightly more types of fish - 1 464 species - but just 405 species of coral. And the bigger Caribbean Sea has fewer than
1 000 species of fish and just 58 types of coral.