IECSN

Indonesia’s vast seas hold immense potential and serve as a major hotspot of marine diversity. However, this immense scale also presents significant challenges for research and mapping the distribution of many species, including elasmobranchs. 

In Indonesia, there are at least 225 species of sharks, rays and skates, and chimaeras. Despite this remarkable diversity, obtaining species-specific data on elasmobranchs remains challenging due to the vast extent of Indonesia’s waters, the complexity of shark and ray trade networks and markets, and the lack of up-to-date information on elasmobranch occurrences and landings across both major fishing ports and remote coastal areas. 

To answer these challenges, EPI created a data collection platform and initiated the Indonesia Elasmobranch Citizen Science Network (IECSN), a research initiative that adopts citizen science principles. 

Citizen science is a practice that actively involves public participation and collaboration in scientific research. This approach allows everyone, including researchers, students, fishers, tourists, and the public, to contribute to mapping Indonesia’s elasmobranch diversity. Anyone interested in the conservation of sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras can share their observations as a valuable contribution through IECSN. 

IECSN currently consists of three categories: Elasmo-Member, Elasmo-Peers, and Elasmo-Buddy.