In this undated photo released by ConservationInternational, an epaulette shark (Hemiscyillum freycineti), one of overfifty likely new species discovered during the recent CI-led surveys inthe waters off Indonesia's Papua province, rests on the sea bottom.Calling it an underwater world full of visual wonders, scientists Mondayannounced the discovery of dozens of new marine species including theshark that walks on its fins in the region known as the Bird's HeadSeascape.Photo Gallery>>>

BEIJING, Sept. 19 -- Scientists said Monday they found two types of shark, exotic "flasher" fish and corals among 52 new species in seas off Indonesia, confirming the western Pacific as the richest marine habitat on earth.

They urged more protection for seas around the Bird's Head peninsula at the western end of New Guinea island from threats including mining and dynamite fishing that can smash coral reefs.

"We feel very confident that this is the epicentre of marine biodiversity" in the world, said Mark Erdmann, a U.S. scientist at Conservation International who led two surveys this year.

The scientists found 24 new species of fish, including two types of epaulette shark, slim and spotty growing up to about 1.2 metres long. Among other finds were 20 new species of coral and eight previously unknown types of shrimp.

"It's especially stunning to find sharks - these are higher level creatures, not bacteria or worms," Erdmann told Reuters. The sharks get their name from markings on their sides like epaulettes - decorations on the shoulders of military uniforms.

The researchers also found new species of "flasher" wrasse fish. The males, which keep harems of several females, suddenly "flash" bright yellows, blues, pinks or other colours on their bodies, apparently as part of a sex ritual.

Erdmann said the region, covering about 18,000 square kilometres, had a greater concentration of species than Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

He said Indonesia's Fisheries Ministry wanted to increase the number of marine protected areas, currently covering only 11 per cent of the area around the peninsula.

"We are very concerned about the potential impact of planned commercial fisheries expansion in the region," said Paulus Boli, a State University of Papua researcher.

(Source: China Daily)

Handout obtained February 2006 from theConservation International shows a new species of Litoria Prora,discovered from Foja mountain in Papua, Indonesia. Scientists have foundat least 52 new marine species off the western coast of Indonesia's Papua,deeming the waters there to be one of the richest in the world.(FilePhoto)

Photo Gallery>>>

In this undated photo released by ConservationInternational, an underwater view in the waters off Indonesia's Papuaprovince. Calling it an underwater world full of visual wonders,scientists Monday, Sept. 18, 2006 announced the discovery of dozens of newmarine species including a shark that walks on its fins in the regionknown as the Bird's Head Seascape. Photo Gallery >>>

In this undated photo released by ConservationInternational, a Pterocaesio sp., one of over 50 likely new speciesdiscovered during the recent CI-led surveys in the waters off Indonesia'sPapua province. Calling it an underwater world full of visual wonders,scientists Monday, Sept. 18, 2006 announced the discovery of dozens of newmarine species including a shark that walks on its fins in the regionknown as the Bird's Head Seascape.Photo Gallery >>>

In this undated photo released by ConservationInternational, an undescribed species of a reef-building coral discoveredduring the recent CI-led surveys in the waters off Indonesia's Papuaprovince. Calling it an underwater world full of visual wonders,scientists Monday, Sept. 18, 2006 announced the discovery of dozens of newmarine species including a shark that walks on its fins in the regionknown as the Bird's Head Seascape.Photo Gallery >>>

In this undated photo released by ConservationInternational, a Paracheilinus walton, a new species of flasher wrasse,one of over 50 likely new species discovered during the recent CI-ledsurveys in the waters off Indonesia's Papua province. Calling it anunderwater world full of visual wonders, scientists Monday, Sept. 18, 2006announced the discovery of dozens of new marine species including a sharkthat walks on its fins in the region known as the Bird's HeadSeascape.Photo Gallery>>>

In this undated photo released by ConservationInternational, a Meiacanthus sp. one of over 50 likely new speciesdiscovered during the recent CI-led surveys in the waters off Indonesia'sPapua province. Calling it an underwater world full of visual wonders,scientists Monday, Sept. 18, 2006 announced the discovery of dozens of newmarine species including a shark that walks on its fins in the regionknown as the Bird's Head Seascape.Photo Gallery >>>

In this undated photo released by ConservationInternational, a Cirrhilabrus cenderawasih, a new species of flasherwrasse, one of over 50 likely new species discovered during the recentCI-led surveys in the waters off Indonesia's Papua province. Calling it anunderwater world full of visual wonders, scientists Monday, Sept. 18, 2006announced the discovery of dozens of new marine species including a sharkthat walks on its fins in the region known as the Bird's HeadSeascape.

Photo Gallery>>>

In this undated photo released by ConservationInternational, a Pseudochromis sp., one of over 50 likely new speciesdiscovered during the recent CI-led surveys in the waters off Indonesia'sPapua province. Calling it an underwater world full of visual wonders,scientists Monday, Sept. 18, 2006 announced the discovery of dozens of newmarine species including a shark that walks on its fins in the regionknown as the Bird's Head Seascape.Photo Gallery >>>