Sharks still skinned for fins in Sabah


Irwan Majid

THE number of sharks of various species landing at the Kota Kinabalu Sabah Fish Marketing (Safma) jetty proves that these creatures are more than just by-catches, says the Fisheries Department.

They are deliberately caught and sold for a profit.

There are 50 shark and 66 stingray species in Sabah’s waters.

The only laws that regulate the industry are the federal National Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) Regulations 1999 and Fisheries Act 1985, which are presently being amended.

The department is also in the midst of including the great-hammerhead shark, smooth-hammerhead shark, wing-head shark, reef manta, giant oceanic manta and oceanic white-tip shark in its list of protected species. – February 13, 2019.


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Comments


  • Thanks for the photos. Now we can see the environmental damage caused by taking immature sharks. Soon they will be no sharks to catch if the juveniles never reach maturity. Sadly nature will be the loser and these fishermen will be out of a job. Shortsighted stupidity.

    Posted 5 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply