Stormclouds over Eden

Wade Hughes & Robyn Hughes · Issue 62, Sep/Oct 2011 · pp. 56–60

Thunderclouds, and the first pelting raindrops of a tropical deluge, blocked our view as we approached the islands of Raja Ampat in the Ceram Sea. Ahead, in this eastern-most region of Indonesia, awaited reefs that comprise more than 500 species of corals - more than 60 per cent of all known coral species on Earth. Around 1100 species of fish are known to inhabit these reefs. Likely, more are yet to be discovered. Countless other life-forms bejewel the underwater eco-system. The area is truly a sea of Eden. But for how long? After the United Arab Emirates, this is one of the world’s major sources of shark-fins. Fuelled by the ignorant belief that shark fins are somehow nutritious, hold magical powers, or are even flavoursome-none of which is true-Asian markets pay high prices to middle-men who in turn pay subsistence wages to reward local fishermen who scour their reefs for sharks and ra…