Feedback shows that current suggested alternative livelihoods for those involved in shark fishing, such as seaweed farming, do not appeal to fishermen.
The forum also heard that fishermen do not believe tougher laws would change the habits of people involved in shark hunting.
Suggestions were made at the forum to expand fishing grounds to increase fish catch diversity and address the current conflict between fishermen and tourism players, and curb demand that continues to drive supply of shark fins.
In a statement issued today, government representatives at the forum held on June 5 touched on the need for new methods of managing sharks that often become a by-catch of tuna fishers, noting also that Semporna residents traditionally consume shark meat.
“They want to see on-going research continued and stressed the need to address and strengthen legislation and regulations on sharks,” the statement said.
Concerns were raised that it would be difficult to impose a complete ban on sharks as they could still be found as a by-catch of fishermen.
Forum participants suggested to have a limit or quota on the catch as it would be difficult to impose a complete ban.
The organisers of the June 5 event said the stakeholder forum was seen as crucial given that Semporna is the most important district in Sabah for both shark tourism and fishing of this apex predator.
Information gathered at the forum, organised by WWF-Malaysia, Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP) and Green Semporna, will be used at the larger Sabah Sharks and Rays Forum 2018 on June 21-22 here.
This event is being jointly organised by LEAP, WWF-Malaysia and Sabah Sharks Protection Association (SSPA). It is supported by the Sabah tourism, culture and environment ministry, Sabah Fisheries Department and Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
The theme is “Exploring Synergies between Fisheries, Conservation and Tourism”.
The forum will also reveal results of an updated study to assess the current economic value of the shark-diving industry in Semporna, following the 2012 Shark Tourism Economic Valuation Study that was led by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).