About Our Vision, Mission and Partners

Thresher Shark Indonesia was initially started in 2018 and led by Indonesian young conservationists. Starting from a single project, now we’re an established Indonesian Non-Profit under the Yayasan Teman Laut Indonesia, AHU-0019780.AH.01.04.Tahun 2020. Our goal is to protect the declining and endangered thresher shark population in Indonesia.

Our mission is to conserve thresher sharks at Alor, East Nusa Tenggara, by providing policy recommendations through the studies of satellite and acoustic tagging technology, underwater surveys as well as providing alternative livelihood solutions for shark-dependent communities in Indonesia. Thresher Shark Indonesia also trains 20 future indigenous leaders of Alor through the Thresher Shark Conservation Champion. We work closely with local communities, governments, businesses, scientists, filmmakers, and other NGOs to develop long-term solutions that protect endangered shark species, as well as respect the rights of local people to livelihoods.

Check more about our projects what we do here

Our Achievement

Thresher Shark Indonesia first documented thresher shark sightings around Alor diving sites, movement information through satellite and acoustic tagging studies, and gained perceptions about the fisheries dependency of thresher shark fishing. In 2020, we established the first district policy to protect coastal communities’ livelihoods and reduce their dependence on shark fishing. Thresher shark fishing in Alor was previously unknown to local government institutions. Our outreach activities were successfully delivered to more than 700 Alor communities through radio, community events, and other engagements. This has shifted the perception of the local communities as the importance of conserving thresher sharks and valuing them as a local tourism asset in Alor.

Our Location

Alor Island, East Nusa Tenggara is a small island region of Indonesia where communities are depending on pelagic thresher shark populations as subsistence livelihoods. We work with Alor communities to understand the socio-economic importance of pelagic thresher shark. As a growing tourism destination, particularly for underwater diving, the Alor region is now seeking to value the endangered pelagic thresher shark. Together with communities, we are working on the potential to develop this species as a future tourism attraction for conservation and as a way to maintain the livelihoods of people.