Local Officials Involved In Smuggling Rare Shark Species

January 8, 2008

Release from: Htein Linn
Mizzima News (Burma)

A rare species of fish, known as 'Ngaman Phalaung', belonging to the shark family are being smuggled out by businessmen in collaboration with local authorities in Burma's western Arakan state. The Burmese Ministry of Fishery has put the fish in the protected species category.

The rare fish, despite the Ministry of Fishery's declaring it as a protected species in 2007, are being smuggled by businessmen with the help of local authorities of Kyawk Phyu Township in Arakan state to China, local residents said.

"These types of fish are rare and they don't harm people. I think at least 40 fish have been smuggled out so far, and we want the authorities to take action against this type of business," a local resident of Kyawk Phyu town told Mizzima.

According to the local, the fish, which belong to the shark family, are as long as up to 30 feet and weigh about 300 vis (approximately 480 kg) but are harmless to human beings and can be trained. The fish, during monsoon remain under water and come up to the surface and moves on to the ground.

Being a rare species, businessmen, realizing the huge price the fish carries in the market, are targeting them and are smuggling it to China, the local added.