Human-Whale Shark Interaction: An Inquiry into Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) for Tourist in Papua and East Java

Abstract

The provision of the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) protection status imposed us to formulate an effective interception Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) for the visitor as an effort to manage sustainable fisheries resources. The research was conducted using visual underwater survey (VUS) method and direct observation. The SOP formulation was effectively applied in Kwatisore (Papua) and Probolinggo (East Java) beach. However, the SOP was made differently due to the differences in the behavior of whale sharks and also the differences in the water conditions in both places. The groups of whale sharks in Kwatisore frequently interacted with humans. Besides, Kwatisore has also a clear beach that allows the visitor for diving and snorkeling while the Probolinggo beach has turbid water. As a result of those differences, the content of the SOP also was made distinctively. The SOP in Kwatisore summarized the procedure of touching prohibitions, using flash, making noise and safe distance for swimming with the whale shark, whereas the SOP in Probolinggo was made to control the number and speed of boats also the distance between the boat and the whale sharks while the visitor observes them.