The Raja Ampat epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium freycineti), a species known locally as the "walking shark," is facing increasing threats from tourism expansion and climate change in the Raja Ampat archipelago of Southwest Papua, Indonesia. This small shark is notable for its distinctive spotted pattern and unusual mode of locomotion, using its pectoral and pelvic fins to "walk" across shallow coral reefs.

A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Fish Science provides new insights into the species’ ecological habits and spatial distribution. Researchers recorded a population density of up to 2,462 individuals per square kilometer within the region—the highest density recorded for the genus worldwide. Observations conducted between February 2024 and April 2025 showed that juvenile sharks predominantly inhabit coral reefs, which serve as nursery grounds, while adult sharks forage mainly among seagrass beds and mangrove roots.

Unlike many marine species, the Raja Ampat epaulette shark exhibits very limited movement, with individuals rarely traveling more than 475 meters and no recorded movements between islands. This site fidelity makes the species particularly vulnerable to environmental disturbances since it cannot easily relocate if its habitat degrades, said Edy Setyawan, lead author of the study and researcher at the Elasmobranch Institute Indonesia.

Setyawan highlighted concerns over the rapid growth of tourism infrastructure, including the construction of overwater accommodations in critical foraging areas such as the seagrass beds around Arborek village. “Sea grass ecosystems are important habitats where ‘walking sharks’ forage,” he said, adding that damage to these habitats could cause the sharks to lose essential food resources.

In addition to tourism pressure, climate change poses a significant threat. Although the species can tolerate water temperatures up to 36 degrees Celsius, scientists warn that increasing frequency of marine heatwaves from global warming may impact their health and long-term survival. Nutrient pollution caused by untreated wastewater linked to tourism is another concern, as it accelerates algae growth that damages coral reefs, reducing habitat quality, according to marine ecologist Agustin Capriati.

The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry recognizes the species’ vulnerability and has implemented protected status regulations to curb direct commercial exploitation. Sarminto Badet, the ministry’s director of species and genetic conservation, noted that the policy is based on scientific assessments describing the shark’s limited mobility and sensitivity to habitat disturbance.

Despite these protections, enforcement remains inconsistent in many marine protected areas, including the Dampier Strait where the walking shark population resides. Conservationists stress the need for enhanced monitoring to support the species amid ongoing tourism development.

Raja Ampat recently drew international attention following protests by Greenpeace against nickel mining operations on Gag Island. The mining, conducted by an Indonesian state-owned company approximately 50 kilometers from Arborek Island, was suspended after environmental concerns but resumed in September 2024, raising further concerns about potential impacts on the region’s unique marine biodiversity.