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The StAR Project - ReShark and SEA LIFE Sydney's breeding program for endangered zebra sharks

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is thrilled to announce its pivotal involvement in the world's first re-wilding of an Endangered shark species, the zebra shark, also known as the Indo-Pacific leopard shark.

Laura Simmons Monitoring Zebra Shark Eggs

A world-first shark breeding project

From SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour to Indonesia. 

The StAR Project - ReShark and SEA LIFE Sydney's breeding program for endangered zebra sharks

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.

December 2024 Update!

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.

The week-long GASSE expedition took place last week, off North Stradbroke Island in Queensland, Australia. A team of 15 scientists, aquarium experts and veterinarians from the StAR Project and partnering institutions collected semen from wild Indo-Pacific leopard sharks. This innovative technique is designed to increase egg production and the genetic diversity of fertilised eggs, which is critical to the ongoing success of repopulation programs such as the StAR Project (Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation Recovery Project), aiming to rewild leopard sharks.

"The successful artificial insemination at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium marks a major leap forward for shark conservation," said Laura Simmons, Head of Conservation, Welfare and Education for SEA LIFE in Australia and New Zealand. "By using this revolutionary method, we are supporting the future of the leopard shark populations in our care whilst bolstering global efforts to preserve these magnificent creatures in the wild."

The sperm collected during GASSE will be used for artificial insemination in female leopard sharks housed in aquariums across Australia and Singapore. Once the eggs are laid and known to be fertile, they will be sent to Raja Ampat, Indonesia, as part of a collaborative recovery project. This rewilding effort, aimed at replenishing shark populations in their wild habitat, is a critical component of long-term conservation strategies for endangered and at-risk species like the leopard shark.

Together with SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, GASSE is supported by a range of global partners, including Conservation International, 香港海洋公園 Ocean Park Hong Kong, Sea World - Gold Coast, The University of Queensland, Moreton Bay Research Station, S.E.A. Aquarium, Thrive Conservation and Biopixel Oceans Foundation. Their combined efforts and expertise are creating a new blueprint for shark conservation that could eventually be applied to other shark and ray species.

As the GASSE project continues to unfold, the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium team remains committed to advancing the science and conservation of marine life, playing an instrumental role in this groundbreaking endeavour.

Experts Working On Kaya In Portable Medical Pool SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

June 2024 Update!

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.

Taylah Starc, Aquarist at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium shared, “We’re so proud to support this multi-agency global effort in marine conservation. Never has human involvement provided so much hope for a shark species. To see sharks that were bred at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, now hatched and swimming in the wild, where they once faced regional extinction is incredibly rewarding.”

Recent research by ReShark and the Conservation Planning Specialist Group, estimates just 20 individual zebra sharks remain in Raj Ampat. Without human input it could take 100 years to recover the species and there would still be a 23% chance of extinction. With help from public aquariums including SEA LIFE Sydney, the program hopes to hit the viable population size of 500 zebra sharks in just 10 years, which is the minimum required for a healthy and genetically diverse population with help from public aquariums including SEA LIFE Sydney.

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.

"With the safe arrival of the latest pups, Lingka and Spotty Dotty, we are witnessing a beacon of hope for the future of zebra sharks in Raja Ampat. With pilot projects like this, it is hoped we can establish similar initiatives for other marine species which are also sadly in decline,” Concluded Taylah. 

Following a lengthy and rigorous permitting and governmental approval process, in August 2022, the founder eggs from SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, accompanied by Laura, embarked on an epic, multi-day transit, traveling more than 4200 kms. This was the first export of eggs for the StAR Project and a world first for a shark species recovery program.

“We’re delighted to know that the very first shark pups hatched in Raja Ampat came from eggs laid here in Sydney and were released in early January. This exciting milestone is a culmination of many years of hard work and planning to ensure a future for zebra sharks in the wild.

“We will continue working with our project partners to support this important recovery initiative through our breeding program and by inspiring our guests to protect the ocean and its inhabitants. We are hopeful that the continued success of the StAR Project can pave the way for the recovery of shark populations globally.”, concluded Laura Simmons.

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July 2023 Update!

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. 

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