Raja Ampat Walking Sharks Hit Record 2,462 per Sq Km After 2023 Protection
Updated
Updated · Oceanographic Magazine · Jun 30
Raja Ampat Walking Sharks Hit Record 2,462 per Sq Km After 2023 Protection
2 articles · Updated · Oceanographic Magazine · Jun 30
Summary
2,462 sharks per square kilometre were recorded off Sawinggrai Village in Raja Ampat—the highest population density ever documented for any walking shark.
1,191 sightings yielded 736 unique individuals, and the surge came three years after Indonesia granted the Raja Ampat walking shark full legal protection in 2023.
475 metres was the longest movement tracked for any shark, with none moving between islands, underscoring how strongly the species depends on local habitat quality.
69% of juveniles were found on coral reefs, while adults shifted toward seagrass beds and sand flats, reinforcing the need to protect multiple shallow-water habitats.
A separate June study identified a 10th Papua New Guinean epaulette shark species—already considered at risk—highlighting both the genus's vulnerability and how quickly protection can pay off.
Why is one walking shark population booming while a new species faces immediate extinction?
Can an ancient tribal tradition hold the secret to saving the ocean's most vulnerable species?
Raja Ampat’s Walking Shark Boom: Record 2,462 Sharks/km² Achieved Through Protection, Science, and Community Engagement
Overview
A groundbreaking study in June 2026 revealed a world record density of walking sharks in Raja Ampat, with up to 2,462 individuals per square kilometer. This remarkable population boom is directly linked to comprehensive legal protection introduced by the Indonesian government in 2023, which aimed to prevent commercial exploitation of the species. The rapid increase was made possible by the removal of direct threats and the sharks’ strong attachment to shallow coastal habitats. Together, these factors allowed walking shark populations to recover quickly, demonstrating the powerful impact of targeted conservation policies and habitat protection.