Treasure trove of marine life uncovered

SCIENTISTS combing through undersea fauna off Indonesia’s Papua province said yesterday they had discovered dozens of new species, including a shark that walks on its fins and a shrimp that looks like a praying mantis.

The team from US-based Conservation International also warned that the area — known as Bird’s Head Seascape — is under danger from fishermen who use dynamite and cyanide to net their catches and called on Indonesia’s government to do more to protect it.

“It’s one of the most stunningly beautiful landscapes and seascapes on the planet,” said Mark Erdmann, a senior adviser of Conservation International who led two surveys to the area this year.