NEWS OF TODAY ~ Resort operators support govt's move to ban shark hunting

Sabah Times 25th April, 2012 TAWAU: The Semporna Resort Operators Association (SROA) supports the government’s decision to ban sharks and sales of shark products as well as possession of sharks or sharks products in Sabah. SROA president Robert Lo Ming Hoe urged the relevant authorities to seriously consider the association’s request to ban shark killing or possession of shark products in Sabah for the good of the tourism industry in the state. “Under the Malaysian law, turtles already enjoy protection. In January this year, elephants joined the protected species. Sharks are equally important but do not enjoy any protection at all. “Outside Sipadan, divers have hardly seen any sharks,” he said in a statement issued after the SROA committee meeting here yesterday. According to Robert there were three important reasons why the association gave its full support for the government issues related to shark killings, including the fact that sharks are control agents for a healthy reef. “Drop in shark population may cause an increase in small reef fishes and (this situation) may cause a drop in reef corals. Small reef fishes will over consume coral polyps, thus causing an imbalance of the reef structure,” Robert said. According to Robert the second reason was that the sharks were one of the most sought after animals to see whilst diving because divers, when choosing dive destinations, rank sharks and mantas as the first attraction, ranking even higher than healthy coral reefs or turtles. “(Sharks are the most sought) also because a shark caught for its fin is RM200 to the local fisherman in Semporna. The same shark if seen by divers underwater is worth USD50,000 (RM150,000) to the tourism industry,” Robert added. The third reason Robert said was that finning of sharks was a great waste of protein and food source in light of the famine that was occurring in numerous countries and the increase in global food costs.