Rethink proposal to ban shark fishing, KL urged
Published on: Thursday, July 21, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Shark Protection Association (SSPA) wants the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to relook at the proposal to ban shark fishing and harvesting in the State in view of the recent killings of sharks believed at a fish landing facility in Mabul Island. Its President Aderick Chong on Wednesday said the State has consistently sought a ban on shark hunting and harvesting from the Federal Government over the past few years but to no avail. He said the ministry should reconsider this safeguard in view of the killings last week, as confirmed by the Fisheries Department.
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"The SSPA would like to reiterate State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi's call to the ministry to protect the local sharks," he said. He pointed out that shark harvesting is openly carried out in Sabah despite the State being dependent on the apex predator to boost its tourism and environment sectors. At present, many Sabahans no longer see sharks inside the local waters, apart from Sipadan and fish markets. "The clock is ticking for Sabah's sharks and like any species decimation, there's no rewind button to reverse the effects.
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"By highlighting more shark harvesting activities, SSPA hopes the Federal Minister will seriously consider Masidi's proposal for a ban on shark hunting and harvesting in the State," he said. According to him, the recent gazettement of the Tun Mustapha Marine Park as a Marine Protected Area and Shark Sanctuary is a good move towards shark and marine conservation.
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Protecting the livelihood of a few fishermen, he added, should not be the excuse for the Government for not protecting sharks in Sabah, adding that there are many alternative livelihoods for the shark fishermen. Aderick noted that there are opportunities for them to work in the tourism industry or more sustainable options such as seaweed planting or others. He said there are already programmes run by the Tropical Research and Conservation Centre on Pom Pom and Kalapuan Island for working communities to adopt a more sustainable livelihoods. Chong said if the sharks are wiped out it could cripple the tourism industry that employs thousands of Sabahans and pointed out the ministry should be more concerned over thousands of workers losing their jobs due to extinction of sharks in Sabah. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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