Sabah anglers against shark ban

Avila Geraldine New Straits Times 8 Apr 12;

INCOMES HIT: Call to consider setting up no fishing zones instead

KOTA KINABALU: THE idea of a shark ban has not gone down well with those who consume, catch or sell the fish in Sabah.

Traditional fishermen and restaurant operators are against the proposal to amend the Fisheries Act 1985 and make shark fishing illegal.

They made the call at a forum recently organised by the Fisheries Department following the circulation of pictures showing fishermen cutting up sharks in Semporna. Arguments from fishermen who attended the forum and a statement from restaurant operators poured cold water on the proposal to ban shark fishing.

To traditional fishermen, sharks are a source of food and income. They claim there is no way for them to avoid catching them when they set out their nets.

Tuaran Fishermen's Association board member Sidin Atun, who was among 30 fishermen present during the forum, said sharks caught were not wasted.

"We either sell them or eat them. To ban shark fishing would deprive us of our income and even of our food," said Sidin.

Another fisherman Abdul Karim said the government could consider establishing no fishing zones at marine parks or islands where sharks are found.

Pan Malaysia Koo Soo Restaurant and Chefs Association president Lim Vun Chan said the ban would only profit the tourism industry but not others.

Lim said the government should instead consider setting up a sanctuary for the fish rather than push for a total ban on shark fishing.

"Restaurant operators that serve sharks also do not waste the fish as everything could be served, from the skin right to the bones."

A senior researcher from the federal Fisheries Department Ahmad Ali said sharks were not killed specifically for their fins in Malaysia.

Ahmad Ali is also the Southeast Asia co-regional vice-chairman of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Shark Specialist Group.

Semporna district officer Ibnu AK Baba said there were two sides to the issue in his district -- one point of view came from those who catch sharks for food and the other from those who bring tourists to view sharks at sea.

"The government should instead look for a win-win solution," said Ibnu.