Fishers face hefty fine, jail for killing sharks
The Ministry of Fisheries is strongly warning fishers around the country to stop killing sharks as many are endangered species which need to be protected. This warning comes after the discovery of 10 baby Hammerhead sharks by fish vendors along Nokonoko Road in Laucala Beach, Suva yesterday.
Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau said there were regulations in place that stipulated the need for sharks to be protected.
This is clearly articulated in the Offshore Fisheries Management Act and the Offshore Fisheries Management Regulations (2014).
He said fishers needed to adhere to the regulations in place or face hefty penalties and even jail terms if found guilty of killing sharks. Hammerhead sharks are listed in the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix 2 listing and penalties for offenders range from $20,000 to $100,000 or two years imprisonment.
“Shark breeding season is from September to April and these are the summer months where juveniles enter estuaries for protection,” Mr Koroilavesau said
“The baby sharks which were found could have been caught through gill nets that were set up by fishermen along the mangrove areas in Laucala Beach or right at the mouth of the river.”
Director Fisheries, Aisake Batibasaga explained that baby sharks would be prevalent in the river systems because they look for food as well as safety from bigger ocean predators.
“Let us stop killing them unnecessarily as they definitely play a huge role in the marine ecosystem as well as maintaining healthy reef systems,” Mr Batibasaga said.
The ministry will conduct investigations on how the 10 baby Hammerhead sharks were dumped at the site.
A fishmonger at Bailey Bridge, Anaseini Ravesi, said people were coming in their carriers to throw sacks of dead fish at Bailey Bridge which have been a concern to them and their customers.