New Sabah Times
12th March, 2012KOTA KINABALU: Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has called for Federal Government legislation to put a ban to shark hunting both in Sabah and Malaysian Waters.
Lee made the suggestion in the wake of reports quoting conservationists from Sabah about the rampant inhumane killing and fining of sharks in Sabah Waters.
He said confirmed reports that the killing of sharks or sharks being finned on the beach and thrown back into the see in the vicinity of the world’s premier diving haven of Sipadan was most disgusting and nauseating.
“Such inhumane acts must be stopped. Divers have filmed dead sharks with their fins removed while diving around popular spots around Sipadan and Mabul.
“This must be looked into seriously by the relevant authorities. I agree with the view expressed by Sabah-based NGO Borneo Conservancy that this most inhumane killing of sharks is not good for Sipadan’s international image,” he said in a statement, here yesterday.
Lee said: “What is most disturbing is that according to conservationists in Sabah, their people have witnessed the fining of Sharks “once every two to three days” over the last 12 months with an average of more than 50 sharks seen dead each day”.
With this in view, he said it was time for the authorities concerned in Sabah to take the appropriate action to deal with the problem.
While the Sabah state authority can look into providing a safe sanctuary for sharks and other marine life, the Federal Government should look into introducing new legislation to impose a ban on shark hunting in Sabah and Malaysia Waters, he added.
Lee said the shark population was depleting and the government and the people alike must do something to protect the sharks and other marine life in the interest of marine conservation and eco-tourism.
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