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  Underwatertimes 24 Mar 07
Last Seen in 1859, Rare Borneo Shark Spotted Again in Malaysia; New Species of Ray, Crab ID'd
 by Underwatertimes.com News Service

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia (Mar 24, 2007 17:00 EST) A rare and endangered shark, not scientifically reported for more than a century, is among marine creatures that have been discovered by University Malaysia Sabah researchers.

UMS vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Dr Mohd Noh Dalimin said that apart from the Borneo shark, scientifically known Carcharhinus borneensis, the university’s researchers have also discovered a new species of crab and ray fish.

The university’s Borneo Marine Research Institute director Prof Dr Saleem Mustafa said the discoveries reflected the diversity of marine life in the waters around the world’s third largest island.

Dutch scientist Dr Pieter Bleeker first recorded the Borneo shark in the Sabah east coast district of Sandakan in 1859, Dr Saleem said in a press statement. There had not been any further record of it until a recent survey of fishery resources along the coastal areas of Sabah and Sarawak, he said.

The Borneo shark, brown on the top half of the body and white on the belly half, is said to reach lengths of up to 2m. It is also said to be a rare viviparous species, which gives birth to living offspring.

On the new crab species, Dr Saleem said UMS researchers found it at a swamp in Likas barely 2km from the city centre in 2005.

In a related development, UMS vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Mohd Noh Dalimin warned that sharks could eventually be listed as extinct, at least in the state. The problem was due to the harvesting of fins from sharks, demand for which continued unabated, he said.

“There is now an over-harvesting of sharks,” Dr Mohd Noh said, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Sabah Fisheries De-partment, UMS and the Fishermen’s Development Cooperative (Ko-Nelayan).

The memorandum was for the development of aquaculture acti-vities by Ko-Nelayan, based on UMS research efforts. Dr Mohd Noh said UMS marine researchers were ready to assist the state authorities in formulating conservation measures for sharks and other threatened animals such as turtles.

State Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail said enforcement was being stepped up to catch those illegally harvesting sharks for their fins.

Underwatertimes 24 Mar 07
Malaysian Minister: Fish Bombers More Troublesome Shark Finners off Sabah Coast
 by Underwatertimes.com News Service

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia (Mar 24, 2007 16:24 EST) The Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry with the assistance of the police, navy and maritime authority will be deploying enforcement units in a concerted effort to curtail fish-bombing in Sabah waters.

Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail identified "endless problems of fish-bombing" in the East Coast and along Pulau Mangalum and other small islands, as well as Kuala Abai off Kota Belud as the areas being most susceptible.

He considered the situation as far worse than the incidence of sharks in Sabah waters being hunted particularly for their fins and eventually becoming extinct. He, however, said the Ministry is also adopting the same concerted effort, not only with regard to sharks but all other fishes.

Speaking in a Press conference after witnessing the signing of a MoU between UMS and Ko-Nelayan, here, Friday, Rahim said: "I agree with the Vice Chancellor (Prof. Dr Mohd Noh Dalimin) that we have to focus on conservation of our natural heritage, especially our resources, either in the sea or on land."

On the setting up of a 'National Marine Aquaculture Centre', he said a paper would be presented to the Cabinet next week for consideration.

According to him, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was informed of Sabah's intention to have the centre seven months ago. Based on positive signals after a series of meetings with the Federal authorities, the technical committee came up with a good report.

"We hope the Cabinet will give the green light before we proceed to the Federal authority. This concept is integrated, encompassing research and development (R&D), commercialisation, poverty eradication and so forth. It will be open to private sector participation."

Rahim said the location covering about 2,500 acres would most likely be either Kalumpang in Tawau or Bakapit in Lahad Datu.

On the plight of some 500 fishermen affected by the gazetting of an area for utilisation by UMS and, therefore, "off-limits" to the former, as disclosed by the Vice Chancellor in his address, he said they would be rendered the necessary assistance.

This could be through a programme initiated by the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) or the Federal Rural Ministry. "We will distribute easy-payment loans to these fishermen in the form of a package - outboard engine, nets, among others."
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Related articles on Global: marine issues and Shark's fins
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