Population Structure of the Halmahera Walking Shark (Hemiscylium halmahera) Endemic Species in Morotai Island Sea, North Maluku, Indonesia

Halmahera walking sharks (Hemiscylium halmahera)are listed in the IUCN's Near Threatened Category due to the fishing activity catch criterion (International Union for Conservation of Nature). This study focused on the cohort distribution of length intervals and conditions. Samples of 30 individuals were collected at a depth of 1 to 10 meters, where scuba diving uses minimal diving equipment in the areas of seagrass, mangrove and coral reef (South Morotai, North Morotai, South West Morotai, and East Morotai). For the Halmahera walking shark population, three age groups were detected, with various lengths: 22-81, 42-103 and 62-125cm. Separation indices of >2 were recorded for the three groups. Given that tiny to large sizes are present, the distribution spans the 21.5-82.3cm class, which explains why the length frequency was regularly distributed. The range of the Halmahera walking shark's condition factor on Morotai Island is 0.8169-1.4264. (mean 1.0064). The male sex condition factor ranged between 0.8470 and 1.1227 (mean 1.0032), and the female genitalia fluctuated between 0.8402 and 1.4331 (average= 1. 1.0086). Therefore, the ecological state of the Halmahera walking shark population fishery in the seas off Morotai Island was successfully revealed via this investigation. Information and data are adequate to be utilized in launching species conservation policies.