Move urgent as shark fin, ray meat sales have shifted rapidly onto e-commerce platforms, says WWF Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Traders of endangered sharks and rays are slipping through Malaysia’s legal net as loopholes in current laws fuel a thriving online trade in threatened marine species.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia has warned that urgent legal action is needed before some species vanish locally, potentially within our lifetime.
Its senior marine conservation officer Serena Adam said the problem has intensified as shark fin and ray meat sales have shifted rapidly onto e-commerce platforms.
“Most endangered sharks and rays in Malaysian waters still do not receive legal protection, meaning the trade in these species is technically not illegal.”
“The Fisheries Department has taken important steps in the right direction but much more must be done.”
Without strong traceability, consumers cannot know whether their purchases are driving critically endangered species toward extinction.
Despite global pressure to curb shark exploitation, Malaysia remains a major hub for both fin and meat markets.
Citing Food and Agriculture Organisation data and WWF analysis, she said Malaysia was the second-largest importer of shark fin in Southeast Asia from 2010 to 2018, bringing in over 22,600 tonnes.
Malaysia also ranked fourth in global ray meat imports from 2012 to 2019, taking in more than 18,200 tonnes, mostly from Indonesia.
“These figures clearly suggest a strong domestic appetite for rays, especially for culinary uses.”
WWF acknowledged the Fisheries Department’s progress, that includes:
adding six shark and ray species to the protected list in 2019;
supporting Universiti Putra Malaysia research on traceability systems;
strengthening species-identification training for enforcement agencies; and
considering the use of options such as “Important Shark and Ray Areas” to facilitate future conservation zone planning.
She praised these steps but added that they may not keep pace with rising exploitation.
“Our concern is not commitment, it’s timing. Some species are so heavily targeted that delays in legal protection could push them towards irreversible declines.”
With amendments to the Fisheries Act 1985 under discussion, WWF-Malaysia is pressing for stronger legal safeguards, including expanding protection to additional critically endangered species and making it illegal to catch, sell or consume these species.
Other measures are requiring clear labelling and documented origins for all shark and ray products as well as ensuring that e-commerce platforms enforce transparent trade practices.
Currently, only 11 marine species are legally protected, including whale sharks, manta rays, sawfishes, oceanic whitetip sharks and several hammerhead species.
WWF is pushing to include the bowmouth guitarfish, all wedgefish species and the scalloped hammerhead shark.
“Our oceans are already under immense pressure. The simplest and most direct way to contribute to conservation is to stop buying or eating these species.”
She reiterated WWF’s commitment to collaborating closely with the Fisheries Department, local agencies, communities and industry partners to ensure that marine conservation efforts are supported by science and long-term enforcement.
