Sharks lure tourists to islands

Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Jepara

"That's amazing! I can't believe I'm looking at sharks with my own eyes. Until now I've only seen them on TV," said Ratna.

Ratna, a girl from Banjarnegara in Central Java, had just arrived at a shark breeding facility on Menjangan Besar island some 90 kilometers from Jepara, Central Java.

The facility, owned and operated by Satmoko, has two shark pools located on the beach that are open to the public. An attractive stone barrier separates the large, naturalistic pools from the ocean. Bushy corals and a variety of other marine life thrive here.

However, Ratna decided not to take a dip. In one pool there were 20 adult black sharks, many 1.5 meters long. Swimming alongside them in the second pool there were 30 baby white sharks.

"I have been running this facility for 20 years, so its much older than Karimun National Park," said Satmoko, referring to the protected status of the islands.

He told The Jakarta Post it all started as a hobby and because of his fondness for sharks and other sea creatures.

To populate the aquarium, Satmoko, a former fisherman, purchased some baby sharks that were caught near the island. Satmoko's partner Ismiyati and two assistants help him run the aquarium.

The shark hatchery isn't a business enterprise, he explained. So, it's open to the public and there is no charge. "I don't receive a cent. I'm just happy that people can visit and enjoy the sharks and the environment."

Everyone who visits the nursery gets to see sharks close up. True thrill seekers are allowed to enter the pools and swim with the massive fish.

Besides sharks, Satmoko also breeds clown fish, tiger fish, rainbow fish and various other decorative species.

Ismiyati said the facility required up to 20 kilograms of fish per day to feed the sharks.

Satmoko and Ismiyati financed the facility themselves. They said they were willing to provide young sharks to individuals or institutions interested in shark breeding.

"I don't set a price (on hatchlings). I just need enough money to cover delivery costs," he said, adding that he had just sold a 40 centimeter shark to a buyer in Pati, Central Java for Rp 800,000.

The facility also recently provided a three-meter white shark to Sea World in Ancol, Jakarta.

Satmoko said he hoped the facility would play a role in luring visitors to the island chain.

"I hope they will have a wonderful time and share their experience -- the beauty of Karimun Jawa -- with friends back home. Hopefully, this will increase the number of visitors."

The island is one of 27 in the protected island chain and boasts picturesque landscapes and relatively little environmental damage. Only four islands are inhabited.

Visitors to Karimun Jawa can go swimming, sunbathing, fishing and diving.