Shark finning in Sipadan/Mabul area

[wahlaoeh]

I thank you for your original email about shark fishing in Sipadan/Mabul area; I have your email by way of a number of concerned individuals who wrote to me about this matter. I thank you for your concern and appreciate your concerns about unsustainable fishing including fishing for sharks (be it just for the fins or otherwise).
Malaysia has since 2006 a NPOA (National Plan of Action) for the Conservation and Management of Shark (see attached) and the Deparment of Fisheries (primarily) is undertaking many activties as follows :
Strengthen data collection on biology and related habitats.
Collect and compile list of dominant, vulnerable and endangered shark species found in Malaysia
Monitor landings so that it stabilized at sustainable manner
Identify habitats for reproduction and nursery ground and these need to be protected from destruction and fishing activities.
Strengthen data collection on socio-economic of fishers and traders
Strengthen data collection on trade
Encourage full utilisation of elasmobranch catches by improving value-added of shark's product especially meat, skin and cartilage.
Improve and develop framework for establishing and coordinating effective consultation involving stakeholders in research, management and educational initiatives within and between States.
Strengthen education and public awareness among fishers and people on importance of conservation of shark resources.
Implement effective conservation and management strategies on shark resources.

At the moment also, the Fisheries Act 1985 (the main national law of fisheries and fishing) is the final stage of stakeholderÃÔ consultations with a view to tabling an updated Act that is better and stronger with respect to sustainable fisheries resources management. Defintely, we will be addressing the issue of species-specific fisheries management regimes (such as for sharks) in this undertaking.

At the moment though, the current law is that if a fishermen holds a fishing gear licence, and he abides by the conditions for that particular licence (such as not fishing in no-take areas), he commits no transgression. That includes fishing for sharks. (The only protected species of shark at the moment under current law is the whale shark.)

In the case of the reported shark fishing in Mabul/Sipadan, my Department will investigate this matter. If indeed there are illegal fishermen (fishing without a licence or fishing in contravention of the conditions of the licence) we will take the necessary action and prosecution under the law on such individuals. Sipadan and the seas around Sipadan (but not Mabul waters) are off limits to fishermen (licenced or unlicenced); we will work with all the stewards (government or otherwise) responsible for this security area/bird sanctuary/soon-to-be Marine Park (Sipadan) to ensure that no fishing are carried out in these waters.

Once again, thank you for your concerns and thank you for bringing this up to my attention.

Yours sincerely,

Rayner Stuel Galid
Pengarah Perikanan Sabah
(Director of Fisheries, Sabah, Malaysia)

 

[Travelnsj]

I was Sipadan about 4 years ago and in Layang layang last April.....they have done more than just Shark Finning in those waters...I did not see a whole lot of Marine life in either location....such a shame.

 

[OnTheSpot]

From the forum link above, Post #13 (numbered down the right-hand side) is from Mr Rayner Stuel Galid - Director of the Department of Fisheries. Read his reply - he would be a good man to speak to.

Rayner.Galid@sabah.gov.my

 

[Dadvocate]

adamtodd

If Sipadan was boycotted, and there were not any divers there, would there be any reason for the government to doing any conservation whatsoever?? The government is thinking about money and nothing else, IMO...

I don’t fault you for the fatalism in this post. I feel this way much of the time myself. However, I try very hard not to give into this thinking when it comes to these issues.

The act of continuing to dive waters where shark finning and other ecological nightmares take place sends the wrong message to those only interested in money. The “Malaysia Truly Asia” adds that run on CNN and elsewhere promote the pristine, fish-filled waters as part of the allure. The government knows the importance of tourism. This can be a powerful force in changing perceptions of right and wrong. Note the compromises made to the “pornography” laws in Indonesia in order to preserve those precious tourist dollars. If money can lead to allowing the female form to be seen in some areas in a fundamentalist state, there is no reason why the same self-interest cannot be used to get the government to protect natural resources. You are right. There is no denying that money is at the center of this crisis, as it is with many other issues in the world today. The trick is to spin that fiscal reality in the right direction in order to achieve the ends we desire.

“Who’s going to pressure the government on this issue?” you ask. Hopefully those who are losing out on money normally supported by booming tourism will. Perhaps this will actually end up being someone directly in the government as is oft the case. This kind of targeted financial impact is the only way I know of to turn the tide of poaching on itself. In other words, it provides the impetus for regulation to make sure long term financial goals are met instead of short term and destructive considerations. If you are right and it doesn’t really matter, if financial interests can really only be seen in the short term by the powers that be, well then we are truly lost. Though I sometimes feel this is the case as well, I continue to hope that it is not and that there is a way to get people to be more circumspect about their natural resources and how the protection of them is a win-win situation in the long run.

Cheers!

 

[dm_junkie]

Hi,

Everyone is right about their opinion. There is no fairness in this ever changing world. It is a sad thing that I believe no to adopt this change, the government has to do not something. But also alot of things that can also help change the livelihood of the people.

In places like Australia, how long does it takes the government to eventually move the natives who does what the Semporna natives do? It takes time, nothing can be changed overnight. And given the economy downturn, plus the Malaysia govenment's respond on the licensing, it is inevitable that the local natives will turn their survival toward the sea; their natural sources of food.

We'll just have to be more understanding and at the same time, continue to help their local authorities to maintain a good monitor of the activites around the waters.

 

[adamtodd]

Dadvocate,

I agree, and don't think that all hope is lost. I just feel that a boycott of Sipadan would be not only the wrong means to the end - it would be the end. There is a huge international communities of divers, and tourists that can influence the government by their presence, if this is gone the what will be the outcome?

Although this may also sound rather "fatalistic" the truth is Sipadan is a resource for Malaysia
tourist have made it a resource of beauty, rather then the alternative - a resource of consumption.

 

[skipperharis]

you are right on this? what we need is for everybody to educate all fishermen on the issue of shark finning. Boycotting sipadan or semporna area is not the solution on this matter. Education is the best remedy!!!

 

[BlueRay]

Me and my wife saw the same thing in Nov last year when we stayed over in Mabul Island homestay. the fishermen cut off the shark fins at night, and we couldnt get any clear photo shots of this. We made a complaint to the local dive center, and according to them, they have made numerous reports to the Jabatan Perikanan (Fisheries Dept) but no action taken.

What else can we do about this??

 

[OnTheSpot]

This particular incident is getting quite a bit of exposure. Somebody posted photos up on WetPixel and many divers have written to the Fisheries Department to voice outrage and concern - however, the Fisheries Department cares about the profitability of fish resources, not so much (it seems) what is getting killed, how and where.

However, when local reporters started quizzing the Tourism Minister (because it's all over the dive boards and can't be good for Sabah's tourism/dive business), he replied and on Saturday this article came out in a local paper - a local paper only though. But the Minister voiced out against these practices and that's a good start.

Awareness of this needs to be perpetuated and the departments involved (especially tourism) needs to know the international community has its eyes on Sipadan/Mabul/dive sites and cares what happens. Ultimately tourism money talks and in the long run, income from tourism is more sustainable than the fleeting profits from shark finning.

If you want to let the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry know what you think, you can contact them through their contact page.

 

[kneptoon]

Malaysia can't have it both ways. Either it promotes itself to divers and the business that brings or they bow to the Taiwanese shark finning industry. I wouldn't call it a boycott, but all of this will be certain to make a difference when I choose my next trip.