Shark Landings Nationwide Record Over 5,600 Tonnes In 2024 - DOF

PUTRAJAYA, July 16 (Bernama) -- A total of 5,610.55 tonnes of sharks have been recorded landing in Malaysian waters throughout 2024, based on the current statistics from the Department of Fisheries (DOF).

DOF director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said Sarawak recorded the highest landings at 2,208.90 tonnes, followed by Perak (994.04 tonnes), Kelantan (783.99 tonnes), Sabah (545.77 tonnes), Pahang (471.35 tonnes) and Selangor (204.11 tonnes).

In a statement today, Adnan said that the statistics show the need to strengthen the monitoring and management of fishery resources in an integrated manner, particularly in ensuring the sustainability of increasingly endangered marine species.

"As a step towards sustainable resource management, five species of sharks have been declared as protected species under the Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) (Amendment) Regulations 2019.

"Any activities of capturing, possessing, selling, or exporting these species are prohibited and may be subject to legal action," he said.

The species listed are Sphyrna mokarran (Great Hammerhead), Sphyrna zygaena (Smooth Hammerhead), Eusphyra blochii (Hammerhead -- variant), Carcharhinus longimanus (Oceanic Whitetip shark) and Rhincodon typus (Whale shark).

According to Adnan, all these species play an important role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem due to their nature as apex predators in the ecological chain.

The loss of these species not only disrupts the stability of biodiversity but can also have a direct impact on the well-being of the country's fishery resources.

Therefore, he urged all parties including fishermen, industry players, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the public to adhere to the established regulations and support the conservation efforts being carried out by the government.

"The DOF continues to strengthen this conservation initiative through the implementation of continuous monitoring, law enforcement and public awareness campaigns, with the strategic cooperation of enforcement agencies, NGOs and the fishing community. All these efforts aim to ensure that the country's marine resources remain sustainable for future generations," he added.

-- BERNAMA