UNTIL shark fishing is recognised as an industry by the Fisheries Department, little can be done to stop the catching, finning and killing of these animals in Sabah to feed appetites for the Chinese delicacy.

And yet, live sharks are worth more than dead ones, with “shark tourism” raking in RM66.6 million for Sabah and another RM14.44 million in taxes, according to 2018 figures by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).

Shark fishing – if it is to be recognised by the authorities – would bring in only about RM30 million, based on AIMS data that puts the value of a single shark killed for its fin at RM429, multiplied by the number of sharks caught in Sabah in 2016.

This infuriates Sabah Shark Protection Association adviser Aderick Chung, especially when he comes across fins served on dinner tables nationwide, as far as Penang.

“The sight of it disgusts me, especially when a restaurant owner in Penang told me the fish came from the South China Sea, from Sabah,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“There are hardly any more sharks in Sabah waters, with the exception being Sipadan and Semporna,” he said, referring to the two famed diving spots.

Chung, who now lives in Sabah, blames overfishing and the illegal encroachment on the state’s waters by Vietnamese fishermen, who cast long lines kilometres apart.

Long-line fishing uses thousands of baited hooks strung on lines – a method Chung calls a “wall of death”.

“I have seen it with my own eyes in state waters. They (fishermen) are setting up a wall of death for our marine species. These lines can stretch up to 2km.

“Who knows what else they catch besides sharks. Turtles, maybe,” said the avid diver, citing another endangered species.

The Sabah diving community is awash with stories on foreign vessels towing their catch out to international waters, where a “mother ship” collects the haul.

Most likely, the catch is destined for China, said Chung.

Difficult to impose ban

The Sabah government, in 2015, proposed a ban on shark fishing.

The idea, mooted by then state tourism, culture and environment minister Masidi Manjun, was shot down due to a lack of evidence that shark fishing could be considered an industry.

The state administration, however, enforced a blanket ban on the serving of shark fins at eateries and hotels.

Despite being proven to have little nutritional value and flavour, these fins continue to be in high demand.

Shark-fin dishes are still served up at seafood eateries in Kota Kinabalu, but discreetly. They are not on the menu, and prepared only when customers put in a request.

In 2017, Sabah approved a law to turn all of the state’s six marine park into shark sanctuaries.

State Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Junz Wong said he is drafting a local enactment to put a stop to shark fishing.

“It’s very sad indeed to see this happening, but there is no regulation or ban in Sabah.

“I’m drafting an enactment now as Sabah does not have one. At present, the federal-level Fisheries Enactment has ultimate say on the matter.”

Based on state Fisheries Department data, 697 metric tonnes of sharks were landed on Sabah jetties in 2017.

Only their fins are considered valuable, and while shark meat is generally not favoured, it still gets processed into products like fish balls.

More juveniles caught

Anti-shark fishing activists in Sabah believe that the figure provided by the state Fisheries Department makes up barely 2% of the real number of sharks caught.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the activists said eight years ago, sharks landed on the Kota Kinabalu jetty measured up to 2.4m long.

However, in the past four years, those caught measured just half that, indicating they are juveniles.

Borneo Marine Research Institute’s Threatened Species Research Unit head Dr Mabel Manjaji Matsumoto said sharks are indiscriminately caught for profit.

She said in Sabah, the legality of shark fishing and finning is blurred as the meat is primarily for local consumption.

“Only the fins, and some other shark products, like skin and cartilage, are targeted at the international market.

“From my observation, dried shark fins are sold openly, even in the departure hall of Kota Kinabalu International Airport.”

Matsumoto said her research is aimed at creating stronger policies to protect sharks, such as allowing sustainable fishing rather than imposing a ban.

“Special attention is required for the management of sharks, as well as rays, as a resource – for both food and recreation.” – February 24, 2019.