‘Fin-e without a law on it’

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will have to wait longer for the outcome of its three-year proposal for a ban on shark hunting and finning in the waters off the state. The state has been proposing amendments to the Fisheries Act to include such a ban since 2012.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the ministry was willing to discuss with Sabah officials on the matter.

He said he was aware of Sabah’s move to protect the shark population at certain areas and the setting up of marine sanctuaries for the creatures.

Ahmad Shabery said yesterday there was no need for such a law nationwide as shark hunting and finning was not an industry in the country.

“When sharks are caught it is not on purpose,” he said after a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin, who is also state Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, as well as other officials here.

When pointed out that wildlife experts had estimated that Sabah’s shark population had declined by as much as 80% in some places, Ahmad Shabery reiterated his ministry’s willingness to sit down with state officials about such a ban for waters here.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun voiced his frustration in 2013 over the outcome of proposals for amendments to the Fisheries Act for a shark hunting and finning ban in Sabah waters.

A study by Traffic, a conservation NGO, that year showed that Malaysia played a significant role in the global shark trade and was amongst the top 10 importers and exporters from 2000-2009.

The report also said that Malaysia caught 231,212 tonnes of sharks from 2002 to 2011, the eighth highest globally, accounting for 2.9% of the total global reported shark catch during that period.