No Shark Fin...

The Sabah Anglers Association is rallying behind the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Tanjung Aru in its ongoing "Say No To Shark Fins" awareness campaign.

The association showed its support for the campaign through an initial contribution of RM1,260 being proceeds from its recent auction of fish caught during its fishing tournament in May.

Its President, Datuk Wilfred Lingham, presented it to JCI Tanjung Aru President, Evonne Chong, in a ceremony held at The Green Connection (aquarium and science discovery centre) here, Thursday.

JCI Tanjung Aru Vice President and campaign organising chairman Aderick Chong and Professor Steve Oakley of The Green Connection were also present.

"We auctioned some 139kg of fish caught in the tournament and donated all the proceeds of RM1,260 to the JCI Tanjung Aru for its campaignÉI feel this is a good move and we will continue to give our continuous support to it," said Lingham.

He said the association had actually initiated the campaign about 10 years ago, but that "in the process our intention was fragmented by other activities, like the worry on the application of formalin in fish, the fish-bombing activity, plastic bag waste and so on."

"So we are glad that a new group has emerged to specialise on the banning of shark finsÉthe world's shark population will be extinct if there is no proactive effort to save it from now," he said, adding that presently sharks are not only hunted for their fins as what the public commonly perceive but the whole fish.

Stating the contribution would be used to make campaign T-shirts and so on, Chong said the need to increase awareness among people is still crucial based on their observation which showed shark fins are still quite in demand here.

He said shark fins are considered part of the "luxurious items" important in wedding receptions to a certain culture and, thus, would require a continuous awareness campaign to change the existing perception among the people on this.

Nevertheless, in general, there has been positive response from various quarters including business organisations like the Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa and Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort and so on which have stopped using shark fins in their menus.

Oakley, meanwhile, proposed that Sabah create a shark conservation area or sanctuary within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park waters where there is a noticeable presence of especially the black-tipped shark species.

He said such a protection area is needed to ensure the success of the campaign, apart from a change in the people's mindset and so on.

On Thursday morning, there was also a special session held at the centre for pre-school children, who were treated to a special appearance and a talk about the Guitar Shark, which half belongs to the shark family species and half to the stingray family.

Story Arrangement By: Harry George

Sources: Daily Express

Picture: Google Image