Skip to content
Sahabat Alam Malaysia
  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • BMBM
  • Donate
  • Archive

Losing sharks and rays will have unintended consequences

  • Publication Date | September 12, 2019
  • Document Type | Letter to the Editor
  • Programmes | Marine & Fisheries
  • Issues | Biodiversity, Conservation, Fisheries, International Treaties
  • Tags | extinction, sharks
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
PDF
Credit: Holger Wulschlaeger

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is devastated to learn that Malaysia had voted against the protection of shark species at risk of extinction.  The fate of the world’s sharks is in the hands of the top 20 shark catchers, Malaysia included, many of whom have failed to demonstrate what  they are doing to save these imperiled species. They need to take action to stop the decline in shark populations and help ensure that the list of species threatened by overfishing and over finning does not continue to grow.

The commitment by the proponent countries to conserve some of the oceans awe inspiring creatures at risk of extinction is  commendable.  However the protection of sharks and rays under the  Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is not a ban on the 18 shark species, but rather to control trade to ensure that international trade in sharks and shark-like fish does not drive them to extinction. 

Malaysia does not concede to the proposal by CITES on grounds that those types of fish are only by-catches, and not specifically hunted down.  How it arrived at this position is based on the views of shark experts  in South East Asia.  Of course there were other  reasons such as  objection from most  Asean nations, and the findings by the United Natons’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) that these sharks were not suitable for protection as it did not meet certain criteria.

In Malaysia however sharks,  which come under CITES can be consumed because they are listed as  ‘fish’ under the Fisheries Act under the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).  The MOA  is more into food, protein and consumption rather than protection of  species.

This is rather unfortunate that sharks are defined as fish.  The high market demand for shark fin is currently the main driver of unsustainable fishing for sharks.  Many shark species are now threatened and continue to decline because of unregulated fishing.

A  2017 study by the wildlife trade monitoring NGO, Traffic, ranked Malaysia as the third largest  importer of shark fins by volume, behind Hong Kong and mainland China.  The same study also noted the mako shark as the second most  traded species of sharks, the same species Malaysia voted against imposing trade regulations on.  Whether cause as by-catch or as targeted species, few controls are in place to limit the harvest levels of all sharks in East Malaysia and it is unclear whether the current levels of extraction are sustainable for all or certain shark species. 

Losing more sharks and rays could have unintended consequences since they are top ocean predators and help to balance the ecosystems. 

Shark conservation is a growing global concern requiring implementable solutions to end the loss of large numbers of shark populations.  Banning shark finning alone does not solve the problem as sharks are still being fished at an unsustainable level.  What is needed is a ban on shark fishing not just shark finning.

Meenakshi Raman

President

Latest

Pollution & Extractives

How waste trade impacts us all

The following infographic paints a picture of how the waste trade impacts us all. Plastics overconsumption/overproduction manifests in an increased production of wastes.  The reality

Read More »
March 1, 2023
Pollution & Extractives

Return Lynas radioactive waste to Australia

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) welcome the Malaysian government’s move in not giving in to the pressure by Lynas

Read More »
February 16, 2023
Development & Planning

In Memoriam – Trade Unionist Balakrishnan Nadeson

On 11.01.2023, we lost one of our very own former staff, Balakrishnan Nadeson, who succumbed to his illness. Balakrishnan, or rather Union Bala as we

Read More »
January 18, 2023
climate change, global warming, environment
Climate Change

United States must act responsibly to end climate injustice

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) wishes to respond to the recent statement by the United States Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr Brian Mcfeeters entitled ‘Partners in climate

Read More »
January 17, 2023

How waste trade impacts us all

  • Publication Date | March 1, 2023
  • Document Type | Articles & Stories
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Pollution, Toxics, Waste
Read more

Return Lynas radioactive waste to Australia

  • Publication Date | February 16, 2023
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Pollution, Toxics, Waste
Read more

In Memoriam – Trade Unionist Balakrishnan Nadeson

  • Publication Date | January 18, 2023
  • Document Type | Articles & Stories
  • Programmes | Development & Planning
  • Issues | Development, General, Pollution, Toxics
Read more
climate change, global warming, environment

United States must act responsibly to end climate injustice

  • Publication Date | January 17, 2023
  • Document Type | Letter to the Editor
  • Programmes | Climate Change
Read more
Pollution & Extractives

How waste trade impacts us all

Read More »
March 1, 2023
Pollution & Extractives

Return Lynas radioactive waste to Australia

Read More »
February 16, 2023
Development & Planning

In Memoriam – Trade Unionist Balakrishnan Nadeson

Read More »
January 18, 2023
climate change, global warming, environment
Climate Change

United States must act responsibly to end climate injustice

Read More »
January 17, 2023

Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

Support our mission

Do your part for the environment with your donations. Each contribution enables our organisation to create more impact towards environmental justice.

Donate here

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki,
11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi,
Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

Sitemap

  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Archive
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Usage of the Website Content

Get the latest news

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

Sitemap

  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Archive
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Usage of the Website Content

Get the latest news

Follow us here

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram
Copyright © 2023 Sahabat Alam Malaysia