Sabah Should Undertake Research on Shark, Ray Populations - Association

KOTA KINABALU (Sabah, Malaysia), March 29 (Bernama) -- The Sabah Shark Protection Association hopes Sabah and international researchers will undertake research to assess the remaining shark and ray populations in the state and develop a forward-looking sustainability plan. Its president, Aderick Chong said the study should focus on the ecological and social aspects of the shark trade to assess the species decline, as well as how a ban on the fishing and trading of sharks and rays would affect local fishermen. "The study could also recommend a mitigation plan with alternative sustainable livelihoods for such fishermen, which was entirely possible given the healthy dive industry in Sabah," he said in a statement here Tuesday. Chong did not deny the current existence of shark and ray harvesting activities as there was strong evidence of such activities occurring, far more often than reported. "Daily, there are many species of sharks and rays that end up at wet markets in the state, with fins and gill rakers often removed and the bodies sold for around RM5 (US$1.25) per kilogramme," he said. Chong said such harvesting activities would lead to detrimental impacts on the lives of the local people by destabilising the marine ecosystem on which millions of people rely upon for sustenance. -- BERNAMA