KOTA KINABALU: Sabah marine protected areas have shown promise for shark populations to breed, according to a five-year Global FinPrint Project.
The project, which ran from 2015 until last year, had used baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) deployed at strategic locations to collect data on shark distribution and reefs in the Indo-Pacific, the Western Atlantic and the Western Indian Ocean.
The BRUVS consist of a video camera placed in front of a standard amount of bait – the camera recording the animals that visit the bait.
According to Simon Fraser University researcher Dr Samantha Sherman, the surveys in Sabah showed sharks were abundant and thriving in well enforced protected areas in the state especially the world renowned diving sites at Sipadan island in Semporna.
As apex predators, sharks play an important role in the ecosystem by maintaining the species below them in the food chain and serving as an indicator for ocean health status.
"Sipadan's success lies in the management of the reef habitat for sharks, as well as the well-enforced no-fishing policy within the park boundaries.
"This shows that there is promise for shark populations if effective management is put in place." she said in a statement, adding her research also covered Tunku Abdul Rahman Park in Kota Kinabalu and Tun Sakaran Marine Parks and few sites in the Semporna region.
However, outside of Pulau Sipadan, Sherman said less sharks were seen in the other areas surveyed, although high numbers of rays were observed.
The project also suggests the government placing restrictions on gear that have high shark bycatch, such as gillnets and longlines, in order to enhance shark populations.
Meanwhile, another research by WWF-Malaysia at Tun Mustapha Marine Park (TMP) located off the north coast of Sabah had also taken place since 2017.
It is to better understand species distribution to prioritise on protection efforts in the park.
WWF-Malaysia Marine programme chief Monique Sumampouw said science-based management, conservation policies, and good governance are crucial for healthy shark populations.
"We hope to contribute to that directly by providing results from our studies to inform park managers and policymakers to collectively identify protection measures in critical habitats of sharks and rays in TMP.
"Sipadan is an example of how good governance and management policies can lead to healthy populations of sharks.
"Hopefully such successful policies, and other recommendations from the Global Finprint Project can be considered for adaptation for other marine parks here."
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