Megan travels to Indonesia: a trip to Saleh Bay

In October, Megan travelled to the remote village of Labuhan Jambu on the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Just off the coast lies Saleh Bay, home to an aggregation of whale sharks that feed on fish around the traditional Bagan fishing boats.

As whale shark interactions are increasingly sought after by tourists worldwide, small-scale tourism opportunities are beginning to emerge in the area. During her visit, Megan met with team members from Conservation International to discuss how to best manage this growing tourism venture. The goal is to develop a management plan that allows people to engage with and appreciate whale sharks, while educating the local community and supporting the village’s traditional way of life.