A world-first shark breeding project
From SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour to Indonesia.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is proud to play a pivotal role in ReShark’s global breeding and rewilding program for the endangered zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum), supporting one of the world’s first efforts to return a shark species to the wild.
A recovery project to help zebra sharks as an endangered species
The conservation initiative – called the ‘StAR Project’ (Stegostoma tigrinum Augmenation Recovery Project) is a multi-national, collaborative initiative led by ReShark which aims to establish genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations of zebra sharks in the Indo-West Pacific, to benefit local populations and support healthy marine ecosystems.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium has been involved with StAR for several years, and as a project partner, has:
- Contributed valuable breeding, egg and pup data about ex-situ populations
- Worked in the husbandry working group creating husbandry manuals for shark, egg and pup care
- Established shipping and handling techniques for transport of the eggs
- Provided viable eggs to the StAR hatcheries in Raja Ampat
Laura Simmons - Regional Curator for SEA LIFE Australia/New Zealand, said “Bringing our team and animals into the StAR project, and being able to contribute to shark conservation in a meaningful way has been a dream come true. This is part of the “WHY” behind what we do every day! A recovery effort of this kind would not be possible without the successful husbandry, welfare and breeding expertise established at public aquaria like SEA LIFE.”
Due to their slow population growth rates, marine conservation actions such as increased fishing regulations and the establishment of marine protected areas have not proven sufficient for securing the species’ future. Augmentation with aquarium-bred zebra sharks is critical to re-establish the wild populations.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium became a “Breeder Institution”, once its population of three adult zebra sharks (one male and two females) was identified as genetically suitable to support the newly established breed-for-release recovery program.
‘’Currently, we are one of two aquariums to have sent viable eggs to the StAR hatcheries. It’s an honour, and incredibly humbling, to be able to provide our animals to the people of West Papua and to bring this species back to such an amazing part of the world,’’ commented Laura.
Zebra Shark Rewilding Update: 62 Sharks Now Swimming in Raja Ampat
The StAR Project continues to deliver major milestones in the recovery of endangered zebra sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum) in the waters of Raja Ampat, Indonesia.
World-First Reproductive Technique Provides Hope for Endangered Wild Shark Populations
SEA LIFE Sydney contributes to Pioneering Initiative
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is thrilled to announce its involvement in an exciting, world-first development in shark science and conservation, as their female leopard shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) population have been artificially inseminated with sperm collected from wild male leopard sharks.
This significant milestone is part of the pioneering Great Australian Stegostoma Semen Expedition (GASSE) initiative, which aims to boost shark populations and genetic diversity through cutting-edge reproductive science.
Zebra sharks make a successful comeback to the waters of Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Breeding program at Australian Aquarium drives hope for recovery of Zebra sharks
In a huge milestone for the shark re-wilding project, two Endangered, female zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) pups have successfully hatched in Indonesia. The world-first initiative, known as StAR Project (Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation Recovery Project) aims to rewild the waters of Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The pups bred at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, were shipped from Australia ahead of their return to the wild.
The latest shipment follows the remarkable success of the program’s first arrival of sharks from SEA LIFE Sydney – who successfully hatched and have been nurtured, and reintroduced into the pristine waters of Raja Ampat, Indonesia.
The success of the StAR Project is a testament to the unwavering commitment of SEA LIFE in its mission to breed, rescue and protect marine wildlife and habitats. By leveraging expertise in marine biology, conservation science, and collaborative partnerships, this groundbreaking endeavour is paving the way to revitalise this endangered shark species population.
We are happy to share the news of our 4th Stegostoma tigrinum pup, “Mali” being released into the wild yesterday as part of our efforts to help re-wild West Papua, Indonesia, with this beautiful, endangered species of shark, aiming to recover the populations to sustainable levels. Mali was shipped as an embryo/egg to our StAR hatchery facility on the island of Misool in December 2022.
Once she hatched, she was cared for by the site in the hatchery’s holding pools, then acclimated to wilder conditions by being released into the sea pens a couple of months ago. Despite this time of year being hammered by monsoon conditions, the team was able to release her in the north lagoon of Batbitim Island and then tracked her for her first 20 hours at sea.
In the coming days, the team will download data from passive receivers to see if she has “pinged” any of them, hopefully allowing us to track her movements.
Congratulations everyone!
That’s 4 of our SLSA bred zebra sharks, now released into the marine protected areas (MPAs) of Raja Ampat for our ReShark StAR Project.
World-First Reproductive Technique Provides Hope for Endangered Wild Shark Populations
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is thrilled to announce its involvement in an exciting, world-first development in shark science and conservation, as our female leopard shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) population have been artificially inseminated with sperm collected from wild male leopard sharks.
The ReSharker
The ReSharker is the international communication newsletter of ReShark, an international collective effort to recover threatened sharks and rays around the world. “The ReSharker” is a quarterly newsletter designed to update ReShark/StAR Project partners on the project’s most recent activities. It was originally intended to be an intra-partner communication for its 100+ partners, it is now available to the public.
The ReSharker Issue Seven
The ReSharker Issue Six
The ReSharker Issue Five
The ReSharker Issue Four
The ReSharker Issue Three
The ReSharker Issue Two
The ReSharker Issue One
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Savings percentages are based on the maximum cost of purchasing individual entry tickets for each attraction when compared to purchasing a combo pass for the same date type (e.g. peak/off-peak, advance/on-the-day purchase).
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