Stepping Stones to Prevent Extinction: Not the Last Story of Clown Wedgefish

The Clown Wedgefish is one of the rarest and most threatened marine species on Earth. For decades, the species was known only from historical records until its rediscovery in 2019. Today, it persists in a limited habitat within the waters of eastern Sumatra, where intense fishing pressure and ongoing habitat degradation continue to threaten its survival.

The project aims to develop the first Conservation Action Plan for the species. Working closely with local fishing communities, government agencies, and conservation partners, the project will identify priority areas for protection and support their integration into Marine Protected Area (MPA) planning processes, with emphasis on critical habitats where conservation measures can be both effective and socially feasible. This project will serve as a proof of concept on how targeted, locally grounded strategies can prevent the extinction of species that might otherwise disappear unnoticed.