Inp.polri.go.id - Manokwari. The Cenderawasih Bay National Park (TNTC) in West Papua Province has identified 13 new species of whale sharks, bringing the total population of whale sharks to 209. "Since 2014, the whale shark population numbered 196 species, and in 2023, we discovered 13 new whale shark species," said Supartono, the Head of TNTC in West Papua, earlier this week. TNTC engages in routine direct observations and population surveys of whale sharks using photo identification methods, antaranews.com reported. The institution continues to anticipate various threats to the sustainability of the whale shark population through patrol activities to monitor the use of fishing nets, safeguarding plankton food sources, and actively involving local fishing communities. Whale sharks have been designated as one of the protected marine species in Indonesia since 2013. The Cenderawasih Bay National Park, covering an area of 1,453,500 hectares, prioritizes the conservation of seven species, namely whale sharks, walking sharks, dugongs, dolphins, turtles, giant clams, and golden jellyfish. The whale sharks can move to various waters in Indonesia, such as the Banda Sea, and even to the Pacific Ocean, but they always return to Teluk Cenderawasih, Supartono said. Their movement is monitored using tracking devices (tags) with radio frequencies attached to the sharks' fins. (mg/inp/pr/nm)