Endangered bamboo shark sold at Semporna wet market. Photo courtesy of Luma Duyung Semporna
KOTA KINABALU: Pictures of sharks being sold at a market in Sabah's east coast Semporna district are once again triggering calls for a total ban for hunting and finning of all types of sharks.
Marine conservationists and diving enthusiasts are raising their concerns as pictures of devil rays, bamboo sharks, blacktip sharks, porcupine fish, blue spotted stingrays and parrotfish were being sold openly at the Semporna wet market.
The pictures were posted at the Luma Duyung Semporna Facebook page while it was also spread in social media via other social chat groups.
Their worries also include whether the sharks were caught within the Tun Sakaran Marine Park that is home to world famous Pulau Sipadan diving haven.
The diving community fears that the continued unrestricted sale of these species could irreparably harm the delicate marine ecosystem and jeopardise the stunning beauty of the underwater world that attracts tourists to the Semporna region.
Sabah Dive Squad Club president Sim Fui said these sharks "typically delight" divers when encountered during underwater excursions.
Sabah Dive Squad Club president Sim Fui.
"As divers, we cherish the opportunity to witness the natural beauty of marine life in its pristine state.
“The sale of endangered species like devil rays and bamboo sharks at the Semporna wet market undermines the very essence of conservation efforts and sustainable tourism.
“We need stronger enforcement and stricter penalties for those involved in the illegal capture and trade of endangered marine species.
"Protecting our marine life is not just about preserving the charm of diving destinations; it is about safeguarding the ecological balance of our oceans," said Sim.
He said it was illegal to fish within Tun Sakaran Marine Park, which is under the Sabah Parks, while hunting for certain shark species is banned by the Malaysian government.
As of July 17, 2019, four shark species and two manta ray species gained country-wide protection under the Federal Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) Regulations 1999, Fisheries Act 1985.
These species include the great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran), smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena), winghead shark (Eusphyra blochii), oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus), and the ray species are the giant oceanic manta (Manta birostris) and reef manta (Manta alfredi).
He said it was time the government broadened the list of shark species to be protected from hunting while enforcement is needed to ensure that fishing does not take place within the marine park.
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the shortfin devil ray is listed as endangered and is a rare sight in the world's oceans.
Various shark species were listed as near threatened and threatened in the IUCN list.
Sim said the Semporna's underwater world has served as a magnet for tourism, contributing significantly to the local economy.
“While these species are often caught as bycatch, it is time to work on more awareness programmes and provide alternative livelihoods for the local community to minimise the number of these precious species ending up in the market.
"Otherwise, the practice of selling precious marine species would cause long-term impact on marine biodiversity and the diving industry.”
