Sabah may be the first state to ban shark hunting

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The beautiful Malaysian state of Sabah will set a good example if this new shark hunting ban law is enforced.

Kudos to the local government to have the environment in mind which makes perfect sense as besides realising the importance for maintaining the future populations of wildlife, the natural wonders of Malaysia is also a top selling point for Malaysia.

Though some statements such as “sharks no longer exist in Peninsular Malaysia” is inaccurate, their intentions should be applauded and sets a good example. They should however look into how a catch and release law can be implemented, even for other fishes, like how the Bonefish is protected for example in Florida. Game fishes can be worth more alive than dead in many cases, some much more. Just look at the numbers of sport fishermen that spend tons of money going overseas to fish, and then return their catch back into the waters to see them swimming away.

Another notable effort by them was the Tagal system encouraged years ago to create no-take zones of fishes in freshwater rivers. I hope the system is still going strong.

It’s time those put in charge realise that shopping is NOT a major attraction of Malaysia. Neighboring Singapore and Thailand does a MUCH better job at that.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is likely to be the first state to ban shark hunting for their fins in a bid to protect the marine creature.

The state government is now studying the legal aspects of the proposed ban – which would require amendments to the State Wildlife Protection Ordinance – with the aim of introducing it by the end of the year.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the situation was becoming critical for this marine creature as only 20% of its original population was still left in the country.

“From my last briefing, there are only four areas in Sabah where sharks can be spotted.

“If we don’t do something about it, the population may disappear from our waters completely,” Masidi said yesterday.

Masidi said he was told by experts that the sharks no longer existed in peninsular Malaysia waters.

He said the state attorney-general was now studying the matter.

He added that the state government was working with non-governmental groups to educate the public on the need to protect sharks from “disappearing” entirely.

“We understand the sensitivities involved as it is a must for some people to serve shark fin soup during weddings. But what we are trying to do is to educate the people to skip the dish for conservation’s sake,” he said, adding that it would also get Malaysia Airports Berhad to bar retailers from selling shark fins in airports in the state.

The state government, he added, had also taken shark fin soup off the menu of its official functions.