Indonesia remains the world’s largest shark producer. The Tanjung Luar fish market has gained notoriety for its high shark yields, reportedly up to 400 sharks per day and shows no signs of slowing down. While the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced the number of shark fishers, largely due to the sale of boats by their owners, recent advancements in communication technology in the region have enhanced coordination among fishers. As a result, collaborative efforts have become more effective, enabling more targeted and efficient shark catches.
Locals matter.
Conservation is complex. It works best not through blame or conflict, but through collaboration with those who especially live closest to the ecosystems. Often, illegal or questionable wildlife trade starts from economic need. Demand starts overseas, trickles down through powerful middlemen, and ultimately lands on local collectors—often impoverished locals who turn to wildlife as a source of income.
Kathy Xu, founder of The Dorsal Effect, has spent over 12 years (since 2013) building trust with the local shark fishing community in Lombok. Her commitment has made it possible for others—like myself—to engage with these communities respectfully and meaningfully.
Conservation is most effective when communities are part of the solution when they benefit, when they lead, and when their voices are heard. Conservation is never one-size-fits-all—it’s about finding culturally respectful, locally grounded solutions that evolve with time and understanding.
Her initiative focuses on converting former shark fishermen in Lombok into eco-tour guides or supporting them with alternative sources of income. These guides are invaluable, offering deep insights into the shark trade in the region and leading visitors to pristine snorkeling sites rich with healthy corals and vibrant marine life.
Shark trade is not a recent phenomenon in Lombok, where it has existed across generations. With scarcity of jobs and lack of education in otherwise dwindling populations of fish and small fishery businesses on undeveloped islands made it very challenging for fishers to find alternative sources of income.
That day at Tanjung Luar fish market, there were three Bluntnose sixgill sharks (Hexanchus griseus). They are the largest hexanchoid shark. It is a deep-sea species, so they are rarely caught and listed as Near Threatened. The sharks were so big that they had all been cut into 3 before being carried to the processing platform, each by one. Visibly, it has caught the attention of the people around. Their sheer size drew curious onlookers, while workers struggled to maneuver through the narrow, crowded platform amid the bustle of fish trading.
After its most valuable fins were removed, the shark’s liver, the next most valuable part, is separated from its gut. Using a butterfly slicing technique, the body was filleted and skinned. Unlike many fish caught only for their meat, nearly every part of the shark is used—yet these apex predators often carry dangerously high mercury levels. In the background, another worker extracts the massive gill arches from a second shark.
Each typical shark catch at Tanjung Luar fish market requires an effort of four barefoot workers to wrestle against the crashing waves to hoist the catch onto a bamboo frame. They lift in unison as they move across the polluted floor and unseen hazards below. It’s a stark glimpse into the physical toll and vulnerability of workers involved in the shark trade.
A young Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) rests atop a larger Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini), both lying belly-up—unusual at this market, where sharks are typically laid face-down. Their inverted posture evokes a sense of helplessness, frozen mid-defeat. These two species are among the most commonly caught in Tanjung Luar.
Skinning a shark at the market
Drying the skin of a shark at a processing plant
Grilling the cut fillets of sharks
Washing the bits of shark's meat and skin
A worker flips the shark fins to dry out under the sun
One area where we can all make an immediate impact is by reducing the demand for shark fins. In Chinese culture, shark fin soup has historically symbolized wealth, respect, and status, particularly at weddings and banquets. But by educating our families and communities, we can shift perceptions and reduce consumption.
Meanwhile, in Lombok, sharks are a livelihood. Here, sharks are utilized fully, much like any other fish.
Shark meat is commonly eaten as grilled satay.
The liver is harvested for squalene, a natural oil used in skincare products.
The skin is processed into leather for boots, wallets, and handbags.
And the fins are sold to major buyers in Hong Kong, China, and South Korea.
It’s a complex picture. But understanding the full context is the first step toward creating meaningful, lasting change.
Importantly, this kind of experience isn’t limited to us. If you're interested in seeing it for yourself, Kathy welcomes you to join her future trips. Feel free to reach out to her directly.