Shark conservation efforts require attitude change, community involvement, says Fisheries Dept

KUALA LUMPUR: Educating and raising awareness about shark conservation requires community involvement, knowledge, understanding and attitude changes, according to the Fisheries Department.

In a statement on Sunday (July 14), the department said that public education and awareness programmes across all age groups can improve their knowledge of the role sharks play in maintaining marine ecosystems and raise awareness about the importance of shark conservation.

"The department, through the Southeast Asian Marine Resource Institute in Terengganu, conducts scientific research and collects information on sharks and rays in Malaysia.

This information is crucial for helping the management plan and implement conservation and management action plans for sharks in Malaysia.

"The local community can also play a part in shark protection by being cautious and refraining from harming or disturbing sharks during sea activities, while the public can support conservation endeavours by choosing not to consume shark fin-based dishes at restaurants,” read the statement issued in conjunction with Shark Awareness Day on Sunday.

According to the department, more than one-third of shark species are currently at risk of extinction, based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.

The department pointed out that shark populations in Malaysia are under major threat from accidental catches by fishermen.

"Unregulated fishing activities have a significant impact on sharks, and this problem is worsened by habitat loss and climate change, making sharks one of the endangered species in the marine ecosystem.

"Despite not being specifically targeted by fishermen, sharks are often caught accidentally along with other commercial species,” it said.

In addition, sharks are hunted for their fins and other parts that have high market value, and they are also consumed as traditional food and used in various processed foods.

The department further said that overfishing and the use of fishing gear that does not meet government standards also contribute to the decline in shark populations and the destruction of their habitats.

"Their slow growth, late reproduction compared to other fish and limited offspring production also impact the marine ecosystem. Changes in ocean water temperature further contribute to the decline in shark populations in certain areas,” the statement said.

In this regard, the department has taken initiatives to protect sharks by providing enforcement agencies and fishermen with species identification training, as well as distributing awareness posters to the public.

It said that the department is collaborating with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local universities to study the status of Malaysia’s shark populations, and high-population habitats and breeding grounds would be suggested as crucial shark protection sites.

At the same time, the department is collaborating with other enforcement agencies to combat illegal hunting and trading activities of protected sharks under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008.

According to the department, the upcoming National Plan of Action for the Management and Conservation of Sharks (Plan 3) demonstrates the department’s commitment to managing endangered aquatic species in Malaysia based on relevant regulations and policies.

The public can report any cases of shark capture or stranding to the department's Fishcom hotline at 03-88704058. - Bernama