Sabah raises idea for shark park

KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia—The waters off Sabah may soon become the safest place on the planet – for sharks.

A Sabah Fisheries Department manager said they were planning a sanctuary here for the fish most often portrayed as menacing and deadly, famously by Steven Spielberg’s movie “Jaws.”

Head of marine resource management Lawrence Kissol said there would be a study later this year on such a safe haven.

Speaking at a workshop on ways to conserve sharks and rays in Sabah’s waters, Kissol said they would get feedback from groups such as the Sabah Shark Alliance.

The workshop was organized by the alliance.

He said the marine park would be closed to fishermen, except for limited periods, and would help protect sharks and rays.

For its part, the alliance wants to set up shark-fin free areas around Sabah and short-term bars on catching of manta rays.

People at the workshop also wanted to push a more positive image of sharks and rays and how they help the environment and economy.

The workshop also discussed legal protection for sharks and rays, a national action plan for the conservation and management of sharks and the need for responsible consumption of marine products.

The alliance is made up of, among others, the Malaysian Nature Society (Sabah branch), the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and the Shark, Education, Awareness and Survival (SEAS) group.

Other members are Scubazoo, the Tropical Research and Conservation Centre, WWF-Malaysia, Shark Stewards and Land Empowerment Animals People.
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