Rare Coelacanth Sighting in Indonesian Waters Sparks Conservation Hopes
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Ambon — June 12, 2024 —
Marine researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery, documenting the first confirmed sighting of a living coelacanth in the Indonesian archipelago. The recent expedition, led by Alexis Chappuis and UNSEEN Expeditions, observed the elusive fish during a deep dive in October 2024. This rare sighting offers vital insights into the little-understood distribution and crucial conservation of this ancient species, prompting further investigation.This remarkable finding emphasizes the importance of protecting the deep-reef ecosystems where the surviving coelacanths reside.
Rare Coelacanth Sighting in Indonesian Waters Sparks Conservation Hopes
Published: June 12, 2024
A Deep Dive Discovery
A team of researchers has documented the first-ever sighting of a living coelacanth in the Maluku archipelago of Indonesia. The discovery, made during an October 2024 deep dive, offers crucial insights into the distribution and conservation of this ancient fish species, Latimeria menadoensis.
did You Know?
Coelacanths were once thought to be extinct until a living specimen was discovered in 1938 off the coast of South Africa.
The team, supported by Blancpain and led by Alexis Chappuis and UNSEEN Expeditions, used closed-circuit rebreathers and trimix breathing gases to reach a depth of 125 meters. The encounters with the coelacanth were brief, lasting about five minutes on the first dive and eight minutes on the second.
Such deep dives require extensive decompression. Divers spend hours floating a few meters beneath the surface in the open ocean to safely return to the surface.
Implications for Conservation
The sighting is significant for several reasons.It confirms the presence of coelacanths in the Maluku archipelago and suggests that their habitat might potentially be more extensive than previously thought.
Our recent sightings, combined with the work we have conducted on mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maluku archipelago since 2022, not only confirm the presence of latimeria but also – more widely – the existence of suitable coelacanth habitats.Alexis Chappuis, UNSEEN Expeditions
This discovery highlights the importance of protecting deep-reef ecosystems from human activity, as they host endemic, sensitive, and threatened species.
Pro Tip
Supporting sustainable fishing practices and reducing pollution can help protect deep-reef ecosystems and the species that inhabit them.
Future Research Avenues
The blancpain-backed expedition coudl pave the way for non-invasive research on Indonesian coelacanths. Chappuis envisions a future where DNA samples can be collected from living specimens without harming them.
Such as, in the future, it should be possible to collect in situ DNA samples from living specimens without having to harm or catch them, which would provide critical information about the nature, composition, and repartition of Latimeria across Indonesia.Alexis Chappuis, UNSEEN Expeditions
While Chappuis acknowledges that it is indeed too early to discuss a new Malukan coelacanth population,
he also notes that as the Maluku archipelago is located between Sulawesi and Western New guinea, it is unlikely that only one individual lives in the broad region.
A Call for Conservation
The discovery serves as a reminder of the rich biodiversity of Eastern Indonesian waters and the need for increased conservation efforts.
Meanwhile, we hope this discovery will encourage local and national authorities to increase conservation efforts in this vibrant and biodiverse region, which is now confirmed to be hosting one of the most elusive and emblematic marine species found in Indonesian waters.Alexis Chappuis, UNSEEN Expeditions
Published Research
The findings have been published in the scientific journal Nature, in a paper titled “First record of a living coelacanth from North Maluku, Indonesia.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a coelacanth? A rare, ancient fish once thought to be extinct.
- Where was this coelacanth found? In the Maluku archipelago of Indonesia.
- Why is this discovery significant? It expands our understanding of coelacanth distribution and habitat.
- What are the conservation implications? it highlights the need to protect deep-reef ecosystems.
