“The common name for all the walking sharks is ‘epaulette’, which refers to the very large, white- margined black spot behind each pectoral fin that resembles a military epaulette”
bleaching events ever recorded in PNG waters, with coral a source of both food and shelter for the walking shark. There’s also pollution from mining and farming runoff harming the shark’s habitat, and some harvesting by local subsistence fishers and the fish aquarium trade. “Fishing is not currently classified as one of the bigger impacts, but that’s because there’s not much data on it,” says Jess. “That’s why, as part of our surveys, we use community engagement to find out if people are fishing them and eating them. “But because they live on the seafloor I wouldn’t think they’d be the nicest tasting.” There are nine known walking shark species in total, all found in the same general area of the island of New Guinea – both the PNG and West Papua (Indonesia) sides – and then down to northern
Australia. It is Australia where most of the research has focused in the past, with the most famous and studied of the species being the ‘epaulette shark’ ( Hemiscyllium ocellatum ), found on Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Technically the common name for all the walking sharks is ‘epaulette’, which refers to the very large, white- margined black spot behind each pectoral fin that resembles a military epaulette. Jess is quick to point out that while the PNG walking sharks have been “kind of untouched” in terms of studies by the global scientific community, for local coastal
communities they are very familiar creatures. “They see these sharks regularly but don’t know they’re unique,” she said. “For us it’s exciting and new but the people here live alongside them. “When we’re doing our outreach we tell them this is a special shark and you’re very lucky you get to see this every day, that they’re only found in a certain part of the world. “It’s also a good way to say, ‘Hey kids, tell your parents if they catch one to please release it!’.”
Jess with a Papuan walking shark found on a dive trip with POMSAC to Fisherman’s Island off Port Moresby in March
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