Kota Kinabalu: Divers and dive training agencies here have banded together and called on the State Government to make a stand on banning shark fishing and finning in Sabah waters.
The call came following recent disturbing photos of shark fins being sold openly at a shop in Sinsuran.
“This is the shop in Sinsuran that I exposed many years back. Now they are back doing it,” said Sabah Parks Protection Association Chairman Aderick Chong, who has called for protection of sharks over the years.
Aderick, who shared the photos with Daily Express, said they were taken by tourists who were obviously disturbed.
Dive Rangers founder Bob Hartley said they are proud of the local marine park’s active role in trying to preserve it.
However, he is saddened to see it being abused, polluted and illegally fished.
“Our determination to see it being preserved for future generations is why we highlight issues within the park and work together with Sabah Parks to do what we can to protect it,” he said.
Dive training agency Raid Regional Director James Costello also expressed disappointment over the photos that were taken recently.
“I urge action to be taken by the authorities against all those involved. This group of dedicated dive professionals, Sabah Dive Rangers, is exactly what the world needs more of to help protect and save our oceans,” he said.
Licensed Malaysian inbound tour operator Borneo Dream Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd owner Billy Hammond commended Sabah Dive Rangers for their great work of saving the marine life.
“Having operated out of Jesselton Point Jetty here since 2006, I can hand-on-heart say that the local marine park, in several aspects, has improved, but in other areas, it has not, and I feel it has stood still and slipped.
“The efforts of groups such as Sabah Dive Rangers and enforcement teams is admirable but without government support and the stopping of real issues such as fishing bombing and shark fining, both action and the sale.
“I see the end of the park, tourism on the horizon and with that will go the livelihood of so many that are really on it. With these issues not only highlighted here but by my valued guests, along with the massive increase in park fees and permits, it could be looking better,” he said.
Commercial Diver co-founder for Sabah Dive Rangers Jude Junius hopes to see the State Government make a stand in banning shark fins to save the State’s underwater eco-system and to mirror the passion of local Sabahans at the grassroots, especially ambassadors of such beautiful live tourism attractions.
“We want the Government not only to stand by the locals in their quest to safeguard the ecosystem, but to stand firm on the protection and wellbeing of its underwater product which is a crowd-puller in the tourism industry.
“We want the Government to ensure the longevity of its fisheries activity that revenue to the State, its potential growth and business opportunities for locals and most of all, provide current and future jobs for many locals,” he said.
The State Government had proposed to ban shark hunting and finning, as well as to stop serving shark fin soup at official events through amendments to the Fisheries Act in 2012. The calls for a ban, however, fell on deaf ears.
Despite this, many hotel brands and restaurants in Sabah have taken shark fin dishes from their offerings.
In 2019, the Government gazetted the protection of four species of shark and two species of ray, all of which were listed as endangered under the newly amended Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) (Amendment) Regulations 2019.
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