Discovered 20 new species in Indonesia

Australian scientists on February 28 said in a five-year survey in Indonesia, they discovered 20 new species of sharks and rays.

Among the newly discovered species, there are Balinese shark sharks, Jimbaran stingray rays - found only in Bali, and Hortle long fin flounder - found only in West Papua.

'Indonesia has many species of sharks and rays, and is also the country with the largest shark and stingray fisheries in the world, with over 100,000 tons of fish being exploited each year,' said William White, co-author of the study. .

From 2001 to 2006, researchers took photographs and samples of more than 130 species across Indonesia. This is part of a large-scale project to increase the ability to monitor sharks and rays in Indonesia and Australia.

The survey was carried out by the Australian Federal Science and Technology Research Organization (CSIRO).

Hortle long fin flounder is found only in West Papua (Photo: AP)

T.VY