Fisheries dept monitoring illegal trade to protect endangered sharks, rays
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s efforts to protect endangered sharks and rays are expanding beyond fishing vessels and wet markets to e-commerce platforms, where marine products are often sold in forms that obscure species identity.
The Fisheries Department (DOF) stated that online trading poses new enforcement hurdles, as processed cuts or fillets cannot be easily identified from photographs or descriptions alone.
The department noted that its oversight spans the entire supply chain, encompassing fishing, landing, transportation, possession, retail markets and digital trade.
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When illegal online sales are suspected, the department conducts intelligence-led monitoring, verifies listings, traces suppliers and coordinates with partner enforcement agencies.
Fisheries director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain (pic) emphasised that regulatory strategies must keep pace with shifting trade tactics.
“Enforcement must evolve alongside illegal trade,” Adnan said.
“We are strengthening intelligence-led monitoring and inter-agency cooperation as trading activity shifts to digital platforms.”
Activities involving protected marine life are regulated under the Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) Regulations 1999.
A 2019 amendment expanded protection to the Oceanic whitetip shark, several hammerhead species, the winghead shark, giant manta ray and reef manta ray.
Identifying sharks and rays becomes significantly harder once they are filleted or processed into portions.
In the absence of visual markers, DOF employs scientific testing to verify species identity during investigations, alongside joint operations with local authorities across physical markets and supply networks.
“Protection does not end at sea; we must ensure the entire supply chain complies with the law,” Adnan stressed.
The department added that cross-border trade involving species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) remains strictly regulated under the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008.
As the designated management authority for CITES-listed marine life, the department urges public cooperation to curb illegal demand.
The department plans to roll out species-identification posters, QR code portals and responsible seafood guides to help consumers avoid purchasing protected species.
“Choosing not to buy protected species is both a legal duty and a direct contribution to marine sustainability,” Adnan said.
