By: Syarif Yulius Hadinata (Marine Species Assisstant, WWF-Indonesia)

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera brydei) were spotted in the Coastal and Small Island Conservation Area (KKP3K) of Taman Pulau Kecil (TPK), Kei Kecil Island, Islands and Surrounding Waters, Southeast Maluku Regency. WWF-Indonesia's occasional observation team - Inner Banda Arc Sub Seascape (IBAS) spotted the whale shark on 14/07/2017, and Bryde's whale two days later (17/07/2017).

"Whale... Whale!" M. A. Ingratubun (Dinas Perikanan Kabupaten Maluku Tenggara) shouted from the bow of our speed boat. The sun was almost setting at 6:02 pm that afternoon (17/07/2017) in the waters of Ohoi (village) Wab, Hoat Sorbay sub-district. Seagulls were flying low above the water. Om Ongky, his nickname, is our partner in doing this occasional observation.

speed boat. Occasionally, the whale, called Lor Ngar Wan by the Kei Kecil coastal community, would swim away, then come closer. From observations of several breaths, it was concluded that they numbered 3 individuals.

"Judging from the dorsal fin, this is a Bryde's whale," said Sheyka N. Fadela (Marine Species Conservation Assistant, WWF-Indonesia, identifying the fin visible at a distance of 15 meters. "The dorsal fin of Bryde's whale is shaped like a sickle, small compared to its body size. In addition, there are medium-sized white spots near its dorsal fin," he explained.

Occasional observation is a type of observation that can be done at any time, or not on a regular basis. The aim is to confirm anecdotal information from local residents. At that time, indeed, we received reports that fishermen often saw whale sharks while fishing in the sea in the afternoon. Residents also told us that a large number of whale sharks were seen playing in the waters of Ohoi Wab.

On the first observation, which was three days earlier (07/14/2017), the citizen's report was proven. After starting the observation at 15.00 WIT, at 17.40 WIT, two individuals of the world's largest fish, whale sharks, known as Yeu by local people, displayed their dorsal fins. They swam away towards the north at a visibility of 10 meters.

The tame giant's body length was estimated at 10 meters. Yeu stayed behind the speed boat with its wide mouth occasionally open. Unfortunately, the rainy weather, strong waves and low visibility of the water made it impossible to observe from the water. The occasional observation method used was direct visual observation and data recording with the Akvo Flow app.

The appearance of these two giant species is not new to fishermen in the waters of Kei Kecil. In 2015, there was a case of stranded pilot whale (Globicephala) with a length of 4.7 meters in Ohoi Lilir Village. In fact, from observations throughout 2016, July to October was identified as the month of whale shark appearance.

Kei Kecil waters are a feeding ground for whale sharks, especially around fishing nets. The whale shark itself has been protected by KKP Ministerial Decree No. 18 of 2013 concerning the Determination of Full Protection Status of Whale Sharks. Likewise with whales, whose protection has also been stated in PP No. 7 of 1999 concerning the Preservation of Plant and Animal Species.

As a protection effort, incidental observations can increase the frequency of presence of area managers, to prevent violations of resource utilization. In fact, the results of observations can be used as information for counseling to increase public awareness and understanding of these protected marine mammals.