SANDAKAN – From 2020 to 2022, some 138,000 sharks and rays were caught in Sabah’s waters, an alarming figure for the state Fisheries Department.
Without sustainable management in place, uncontrolled catching of sharks will see a further drop in their numbers, impacting the marine ecosystem as well as tourism in the state, according to department director Azhar Kassim.
“The government has not issued any licence to catch sharks and rays, but they are still caught as by-catch.
“Studies by the Marine Research Foundation (MRF) found that from 2020 to 2022, about 138,000 sharks and rays had been caught in Sabah.
“This alarming figure is a sign that we need to enhance our management of these species,” he said in a speech delivered by department deputy director (operations) Lawrence Kissol Jr at the launch of the Sabah Sustainable Management of Sharks and Rays Workshop, here today.
There are 69 species of sharks and 85 species of rays recorded in Malaysia, and they are considered unique compared to other species of fish with lower reproduction rates, slower growth, and lower birth rates.
“Sharks and rays have become one of the main attractions in our tourism sector through the diving industry which has brought Sabah over RM500 million of income a year.
“In this matter, it is important that there is a balance between the exploitation of sharks and rays by fishermen with the development of ecotourism in Sabah,” Azhar said.
He called for collaboration between government agencies.
“For instance, while the Fisheries Department has control over licensing, Sabah Parks is responsible for managing the conservation areas and imposing restrictions, whereas the enforcement agencies are responsible for ensuring that people adhere to the rules and laws.”
The department also needs the cooperation of other parties, such as the food and beverage sector and hotels, he added.
“We need them to adhere to the restriction of serving shark fin soups during official government functions, and to promote crab meat as a substitute for shark fins.”
Azhar also said fishermen must also play a role by releasing live sharks and rays caught as by-catch.
The workshop today was attended by representatives from the organising bodies, Malaysia Fisheries Department, Royal Malaysian Police, Sabah Parks, Sandakan Municipal Council, Maritime Enforcement Agency, Sabah Wildlife Department, as well as 32 fishermen from Kudat, Kota Kinabalu, Beluran and Sandakan. – February 29, 2024