Solaris Shell Club Indonesia

  History of Solaris Shell Club Indonesia  

Geographically, Indonesia is located between Pacific and Indian Ocean, and consists of thousand of islands in the tropical region. The Indonesian Archipelago; which is divided into 3 zones: Asia, Wallace and Australia; has rich and potential resources of Mollusks, both in diversity of species and huge amount of subspecies. The existence of some species that were found in 13^th - 19^th ago have not been reported anymore, while the neighbor countries have rediscovered many more nowadays. 

From a very limited information, scientists, researchers and collectors from abroad both own and research about variety of Indonesia Mollusks. They probably obtain their specimens from government authorities, tourists or even from foreign vessels that sail in Indonesian region. Indonesia has huge potential from its Mollusks that have not been documented and discovered yet.

Besides the loves of collecting seashells, we feel the urge to establish a group among collectors of Indonesian Mollusks. By doing so we also wish to discover the mystery of our shells and learn about them. Our goal is to connect collectors and researchers, and hopefully in the long run can record Indonesian Mollusks, which consists of sea mollusks, terrestrial and fossils.

In September 1995, Mr. Widodo, Ir. Bunjamin Dharma and Ir. George Hadiprajitno discussed and formed a nonprofit organization to assist and gather from other people who have the same passion. The first official meeting was held on Saturday, November 18 1995 in Tomang Raya 8F street, Jakarta, attended by Mr. Widodo Latip, Ir. Bunjamin Dharma, Ir. George Hadiprajitno, Ir. Stephen Tan, Mr. Brian Abbas, Ir. Radjiwan Tirtadinata, Mr. Peter Siggers, Ir. Arief Santoso, Mr. Karsono, Colonel Ivar Hellberg. In the meeting all participants agreed to raise Mr. Widodo Latip as it Leader.

The second meeting was separated quite a long time since the first one, that is on Saturday August 10 1996 on Pluit Raya No. 5 street Jakarta. By the end of the meeting, all members come to an agreement, such as:

• Use Solaris as the chosen name, which is voted from Nobilis, Victor, Rumphius, Chrysostoma and Solaris itself.
• Group meeting is to be scheduled every 3 months.
• Have Club Journal.

It is then known the date of November 18 1995 as the established date of Solaris Shell Club Indonesia.

  Vision and Mission   

Solaris Shell Club Indonesia’s vision and mission is to record all Indonesian Mollusks by preserving the ecology. Our Motto : We Are Environment Friendly Shell Club.

  Solaris Shell Club Indonesia's LOGO   

Our logo is Xenophora Solaris. This species is published the first time by G.E. Rumphius in “Cabinet des Rarites d’ Amboine” as rare shells from Ambon in year 1705 and was named Trochus Solaris. The second specimen had not been found even 50 years later. Soon after Carl von Linne (1707-1778) in Systema Natural 10^th edition on year 1758  named it as Stellaria Solaris, noted as a uncommon shell.

It was only more than a century later that 5 more specimens was collected in Europe. At the end of 19th century and early 20^th century this species were still rare, only about 10-12 specimens were known and could be compared to Conus Gloriamaris. Rumor has it that they were more that 300 years old and only rich Kings, Queens or Princes could afford to collect it.

When the World War II was over, the shell was no longer classified as extinct since Phillippines fishermen using tangle nets caught up deep seashells.  Since then, Stellaria Solaris is no longer considered rare species.

The name of Solaris chosen for the club was suitable since it the first species that was found the first time in Ambon, Indonesia. Nowadays they are everywhere in Indonesia’s marine. Solaris itself means the Sun, with the shape of rounded and pointed describing the sunray with its 11-18 fingers or spikes around the body. The direction of the fingers circled the body symbolize the hope of the club, that is becoming a group that can expand like the sunray.

  Solaris Shell Club Indonesia of Committe Board   

  Berita Solaris of Committe Board