Talk On Shark Conservation

December 2, 2005

Release from: Marie Sitong
Borneo Bulletin

BINTULU - A talk on the conservation of shark resources in Malaysian Fisheries Waters was recently held at Regency Plaza Hotel here by Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DoFM).

The objectives of the talks were, among all, to enhance public awareness especially among fishermen on the importance of sustainability of resources and environmental conservation. Awangku Isa bin Pengiran Amjah, the State Deputy Director of DoFM said during the opening ceremony that unrestrained catch of sharks might one day lead to the extinction of the species.

He said implementation of certain management strategies were necessary as to achieve the balance between fishing efforts, sustainability of resources and environment conservation. Isa said this was parts of the DoFM's efforts to comply with the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-sharks) where Malaysia with other Asean countries are also involved. Malaysia has also set up its own National Plan of Action for Sharks (NPOA-Sharks).