Mohd Haniff Omar never thought visiting local fish markets would change his mind about overfishing, particularly concerning sharks and rays.
This shift occurred when the 18-year-old joined a marine awareness conservation programme with other secondary school students in Sabah’s east coast Semporna district recently.
The students were introduced to citizen science through catch-landing data collection, spoke with fishermen during their visits and gathered data on sharks and rays observed in the markets, gaining hands-on experience in field research and marine conservation practices.
"Seeing sharks and rays at the market is not new to me, but learning about their threats has completely changed my perspective.
I now find myself questioning whether it’s sustainable to see so many of them being sold. Through this activity, I gained valuable skills to contribute to the much-needed data on sharks and rays, an area where information is still lacking," said the SMK Balung student.
Mohd Haniff was among 38 students from 16 schools across Sandakan, Kunak, Tawau, and Semporna who participated in the Sabah Sharks and Rays Guardian Camp, held at Seven Inn, Semporna, from Nov 29 to Dec 2.
The programme, themed "Protect the Sharks and Rays for Ocean Sustainability," aimed to raise awareness and equip young leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to protect these species, which are critical to Malaysia's marine biodiversity.
It was organised by Green Semporna in partnership with Reef Check Malaysia, the Marine Research Foundation (MRF), and the Sabah Education Department.
"We now have 38 young Sharks and Rays Ambassadors emerging from this programme, ready to expand their advocacy to their schools in 2025," said Green Semporna coordinator Nurasikin Jajim.
Reef Check Malaysia programme manager Adzmin Fatta said the camp served as a vital platform for raising awareness about pressing marine protection issues while cultivating young ambassadors to lead conservation efforts.
"By empowering them to advocate for elasmobranch conservation in schools and higher education institutions, the camp aims to create a ripple effect, inspiring positive change within their communities and beyond," he said.
The camp featured a diverse lineup of experts, including those from Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Borneo Marine Research Institution, Sabah Parks, WWF-Malaysia, and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).
Participants gained valuable insights through engaging lectures on the ecological significance of sharks and rays, the challenges they face, and ongoing conservation efforts in Sabah.
Adzmin said Malaysia is home to 155 species of sharks and rays, 41% of which are endangered, but over 50 species remain unprotected in the country.
According to the MRF, an estimated 138,000 sharks and rays are caught as bycatch by trawlers in Sabah each year.
In addition to the informative sessions and market visits, the camp included interactive workshops focusing on leadership and communication, providing participants with essential skills to become effective advocates for marine conservation.
Athirah Kamilah Kamarudin, a student from SMK Tagasan, Semporna, was glad she took part in the camp.
"I’ve realised that it’s not just land animals that need our attention—marine animals, particularly sharks and rays, are equally important.
It’s disheartening to see how little awareness there is about this issue. I now feel a responsibility to share what I’ve learned with my friends, especially at school," she said.
The students also took part in an experiential learning activity at Bohey Dulang island in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, which featured an engaging interactive talk by research officers from Sabah Parks and the Semporna Island Project.
At the conclusion of the programme, each participating school received a RM1,000 mini-grant to kick-start conservation-themed projects focusing on sharks and rays in 2025, extending the initiative’s impact on their school communities.
Nurasikin was confident that the mini-grants provided will support spreading the message of shark and ray conservation to the general public, particularly within their schools.
"Additionally, this initiative will equip them with project management and leadership skills, which will be invaluable as they transition beyond their educational institutions," she said.
