Malaysia needs new law to control shark catching and finning: Wan Junaidi

KUALA LUMPUR: A new law should be drafted to tackle and control shark catching and finning activities in the country, according to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (pix).
He said the ministry would discuss the matter with the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry as the enforcement and protection for shark were currently under the Fisheries Act.
"Shark is defined as fish ... and fish matters are still under the Agriculture Ministry's jurisdiction ... but if shark is listed as endangered species, then it will be under our jurisdiction.
"I have to discuss with the Agriculture Ministry first ... if he (minister) agrees that this is something good for the nation, we will work on it," he said when asked about the solutions to shark catching and finning activities which were said to have become rampant in Sabah.
The minister was met after visiting the University of Nottingham Malaysia's Crop For the Future Research Centre (CFFRC) in Semenyih, near here today.
Wan Junaidi said the existence of the new law would also be very beneficial to Malaysia's image in the eyes of the world as one of the countries which are against shark fin trade.
On the visit to the CFFRC, which was launched in 2011, the minister said the centre was important in helping the country to produce climate-resilient crops for the future.
"The centre is spearheading the development of a Global Action Plan for Agricultural Diversification (Gapad) to help mitigate climate challenges to the global agricultural system by diversifying agriculture within and between species and agricultural ecosystems," he said. — Bernama