EcoKnights®

29 July 2012, Off the coast of Sarawak -- A close and reliable source of EcoKnights captured these three images of a shark, most likely a bull shark, being pulled up a small fishing boat off the coast of Sarawak today.

These pictures were estlimated to have been taken on 29 July at about 9 am (Malaysian time).

The location is suspected to be off the coast of Miri.

Not sure how the Sarawak government views the shark crisis but neighbouring state Sabah is standing firm on its decision that shark hunting and fining activities in Sabah must be banned.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the proposal for the total ban had been brought to the state cabinet which unanimously agreed to the prohibition of such activities.

“There are no two ways about that and we have made our stand before. The Sabah state government has made a decision and we hope the federal government will respect that decision,” he said during a courtesy call by representatives from NGOs who would be participating in the shark ban public forum today in Semporna.

According to Masidi, the law banning shark hunting and fining had to be incorporated into federal law, which was why the Sabah state government had asked its federal counterpart to look into the provision of its Fisheries Act.

He assured shark protectors that the state government, on its part, was also looking at whether Sabah’s Wildlife Enactment could be used in providing a blanket protection order on sharks in our waters.

However, he urged those pushing for a ban on shark hunting and fining to pay a courtesy call on the federal minister, deputy minister in charge of fisheries or the director-general of the Fisheries Department to bring their attention to the issue.

“You can tell them that you are representing the youths and this is what they want,” Masidi stressed.

Meanwhile, in Sarawak, the battle continues.

Read more about a recent press article on shark banning here: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07/20/govt-firm-on-shark-hunting-and-fining-ban-masidi/#ixzz21zbHZNIO