Edy Setyawan

Dr. Edy Setyawan is a Pew Fellow and the co-founder of Elasmobranch Institute Indonesia. With over 15 years of experience in marine research and conservation, he specializes in the population dynamics and movement ecology of marine megafauna, particularly elasmobranchs such as manta rays and sharks.

Employing a multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Setyawan integrates photographic identification (photo ID) and network analyses with cutting-edge tools like drones, acoustic telemetry, and satellite telemetry to uncover key insights into marine animal distribution, movement patterns, habitat use, and population connectivity. His research plays a pivotal role in informing conservation and management strategies across Indonesia and beyond.

Since 2013, Dr. Setyawan has dedicated himself to the study of manta rays, with a particular focus on reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) in the Raja Ampat Archipelago. He earned his PhD in Marine Science from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, where his research focused on the population dynamics, movement ecology, and conservation of reef manta rays in one of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems.

Dr. Setyawan has pioneered innovative research methods, including the development of a non-invasive technique to measure manta ray body size using small drones. This approach allows for accurate measurements with minimal disturbance to the animals. Over eight years of monitoring, he confirmed the existence of the world’s first documented reef manta ray nursery area in Wayag Lagoon, Raja Ampat. His research also revealed that Raja Ampat’s reef manta ray populations are among the few globally to show significant growth over the past decade, underscoring the success of conservation efforts.

Dr. Setyawan’s expertise extends to satellite tracking, where he has conducted studies on both reef manta rays and oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) in Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, and Guam. His work has provided invaluable data on movement patterns, habitat use, and population connectivity, contributing to a broader understanding of these species on a global scale.

Beyond manta rays, Dr. Setyawan has broadened his research to include other charismatic elasmobranch species, ranging from the world’s largest fish, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), and the pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus), to the small, bottom-dwelling Raja Ampat epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium freycineti). These studies highlight his commitment to conserving Indonesia’s rich and diverse marine biodiversity.