Tourists shocked by ‘beach slaughter’
PETALING JAYA: Divers and tourists vacationing at Mabul Island off Semporna were shocked to see several marine species being slaughtered on the shore.
Social media was abuzz with photos of more than a dozen manta rays being gutted, drawing the ire of netizens.
The crystal-clear water turned red as several men, believed to be fishermen from a nearby village, cut up one of the giant rays just a few metres from the beach.
The sea creatures, which were two manta rays, 13 devil rays and a shark, were caught by the fishermen and brought to shore.
Tourists and divers who were present at the incident took pictures of the incident and uploaded it on social media.
Sabah Shark Protection Association president Aderick Chong said many of the tourists were shocked as they did not expect to see such a gruesome act in plain sight.
“Tourists witnessed it and reported the incident to the tour operators. “They are clearly in shock.” “Such action will only create a bad image to visitors, especially those coming from abroad,” he said.
Only whale sharks and sawfish have been gazetted as threatened species in Sabah under the Fisheries Act.
Although there was a proposal to include several other shark and ray species, there has been no official announcement to date.
Chong said the new law to ban more species from being hunted in Sabah should have been passed by the end of last year.
Meanwhile, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun expressed disappointment over the incident.