WWF calls on M’sia to stop shark killing in Sabah
KUCHING: WWF-Malaysia repeats the call to stop shark killing in Semporna and throughout Sabah.
WWF-Malaysia executive director and CEO Dato’ Dionysius Sharma reiterated the urgent call for shark protection in response to the spate of shark carcass photos surfacing on Facebook and social media.
In a press release issued from Kota Kinabalu, WWF-Malaysia said gruesome photos taken by tourists who were on Pulau Mabul triggered distressing comments and requests for action to be taken.
“Shark killing for any purpose is completely unacceptable and needs to stop immediately. Most shark species are endangered and we cannot afford to lose any more of the remaining sharks in our seas,” stressed Sharma.
Whether a shark is finned or has its entire body taken for various purposes (such as skin, meat or teeth), it still means the shark is killed, she said.
“The marine ecosystem needs sharks alive and serving their function as top predators. We want sharks alive to ensure a balance in the marine ecosystem in order for us to continue having a healthy supply of seafood; and to protect a sustainable livelihood for the fishing communities,” said Sharma.
WWF-Malaysia supports Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment (MTCE) Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun’s call for laws to prohibit shark hunting and finning ( Laws against sharkhunting necessary: Daily Express, July 21).
Sustaining sharks will sustain our ocean and in turn sustain seafood, as they help maintain the health of coral reefs and protect vital sea habitats.
As seafood is one of Malaysian’s main protein sources, the decline of sharks will inevitably affect human survival in the long run.
Sharks are also a valuable natural capital which services the eco-tourism industry in Sabah. In line with the increasing recognition of the value of natural capital and ecosystems services
Shark killing for any purpose is completely unacceptable and needs to stop immediately. Most shark species are endangered and we cannot afford to lose any more of the remaining sharks in our seas. Dato’ Dionysius Sharma, WWF-Malaysia executive director and CEO
amongst policy makers in Malaysia, as reflected in the 11th Malaysia Plan, it is only timely that relevant action is taken in line with these advances by the ministries and agencies through policies, legislation, enforcement, monitoring and other measures.
Sharks, with the exception of whale sharks, have long suffered the peril of being in limbo under the legislative framework of Malaysia where it is given almost no recognition.
As there are no officially recognised shark fisheries in Malaysia, there is a noticeable absence of laws protecting, managing or conserving sharks in Malaysia.
However, sharks continue to be fished either in mixed fisheries, or incidentally and this is allowed.
“We need more proactive rather than reactive measures in managingandconservingsharksin Malaysia. We need to continuously improve our understanding of such natural capital and ecosystems and ensure policy and laws take these into consideration,” said Sharma.
WWF-Malaysia thus calls for the nationwide adoption of the ecosystems approach to fisheries management which will benefit the protection, conservation and management of sharks in Malaysia by protecting threatened shark species under domestic laws, and by addressing the incidental capture of sharks.
Shark survival is ultimately vital in sustaining a healthy ocean. WWF-Malaysia also calls for collective effort from Malaysians to save sharks and taking the first step by joining its ‘My Fin My Life’ campaign and pledging to be a shark hero today on myfinmylife.