Dead sharks on boat near Mabul
Published on: Thursday, July 28, 2016
Semporna: Two Swedish divers claim they spotted the tails of at least four sharks protruding out of a boat in the waters off Mabul Island last week. Jonas Neander, said he was returning from diving off the reef on Ribbon Valley on the south side of Mabul on July 22, when a boat zoomed past them nearby Sipadan island. "I couldn't believe it, when we came up after the dive and saw the boat with the shark tails clearly hanging over the edge – in the middle of the day. ADVERTISEMENT "We had followed the online updates about the finning in Mabul – but to see it (dead sharks) with our own eyes was so disappointing, especially given the spectacular biodiversity of these waters, which bring us back year after year," he said. Fellow diver Ewa Hansen said it does not matter where the sharks are from but the bottomline is efforts to ensure protection of the species must be made. Hansen also said plans by the State Government to create safe havens for the sharks was a good move by the State, saying that "it would ensure people can keep coming and enjoying the diving and wildlife here for years to come." The testimony of both divers came following the discovery of the shark-finning being carried out at Mabul Island, which is a fish landing depot near Semporna, on July 19. ADVERTISEMENT Photos of the activity went viral online and later confirmed by the Fisheries Department and the Semporna District Officer Dr Chacho Bulah, who pointed out shark meat was used by locals to produce 'Siagol', which is a local delicacy. The Fisheries Department claimed that sharks are not the main target for fishing activities in the area but instead a bycatch caught by accident along with commercial species.
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However, a scientific study of sharks in the East Coast of the State, particularly in Semporna by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) 2012 valued a single living shark at RM3.6 million in terms of tourism revenue for the State, compared to RM440 when the apex predator is captured for its fins. The Sabah Shark Protection Association said it was deplorable that foreign divers had to witness the destruction of the sharks. "It is sad that tourists supporting the local economy are seeing dead sharks while on holiday here," the group said in a statement here. "They are here to appreciate what Sabah has to offer in terms of biodiversity and we have an obligation to ensure sharks remain in our waters, not just for the economic spin-off, but also to ensure the health of the marine ecosystem, in which sharks play a vital role as apex predators," it added. SSPA said numerous conservation groups are working hard towards ensuring sharks are getting the protection they need, as well as the Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister who has been vocal on the effort. "Yet we are unable to make much headway as the Federal Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry does not seem willing to amend the law to provide protection for more shark species or to include a ban on shark hunting. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"Protecting sharks will benefit fishermen and the local economy, while ensuring the future of Sabah's diverse marine life.We must work together to save Sabah sharks," the group said.