By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is open to introducing a ban or formulating a policy to protect the endangered Humphead Wrasse, subject to the findings of a resource assessment study.
Sabah Fisheries Department director Datin Dr Shuhadah Mustapha said although the species, locally known as mameng, can currently be caught, sold and consumed within Sabah, the government is willing to consider stronger conservation measures.
The species is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates international trade.
Shuhadah said Sabah already imposes a zero export quota on the species as a conservation measure.
"In Sabah, the species is not permitted to be exported or traded outside the state, with an export quota of zero imposed as a control measure to ensure its sustainability and conservation.
"However, domestic trade of the Humphead Wrasse within Sabah is currently not prohibited, and the species may be caught, sold, consumed and cultured in cages," she told the New Straits Times.
She added that the department does not issue import or export permits for live Humphead Wrasse, including to Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Labuan.
The department also does not have population data for the species in its natural habitat.
However, 2025 fish landing records showed that 12,090kg of Humphead Wrasse worth RM1.45 million were landed in Semporna, while 36kg valued at RM3,600 were landed in Kota Kinabalu.
The issue recently drew attention after environmental news portal Macaranga reported that the species, which is banned for consumption in China, was being eaten in large quantities in Semporna.
Posts on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu also showed users claiming they could eat the fish cheaply in Semporna despite it being illegal in China. In Hong Kong, the fish reportedly fetched US$850 (about RM3,500) per kg in 2019. In Semporna, live Humphead Wrasse sells for between RM150 and RM300 per kg, while dead fish can be bought for about RM50 per kg.
On allegations that cyanide is used to catch the species, Shuhadah said the department has no specific scientific data confirming coral reef damage or mortality resulting from cyanide fishing for Humphead Wrasse.
"However, the use of poison in fishing activities has the potential to cause serious harm to marine ecosystems and constitutes an offence under existing laws."
She said every complaint is investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 (Amendment 2025) and the Sabah Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Enactment 2003.
Between 2021 and 2025, the department carried out 1,224 land and sea enforcement operations involving surveillance, intelligence gathering and inspections to curb fisheries offences, including poison fishing.
Fishing with poison or explosives is a non-compoundable offence. Offenders face fines of up to RM250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years under the Fisheries Act 1985 (Amendment 2025).
They may also face prosecution under Sections 25 and 26 of the Sabah Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Enactment 2003 for selling or possessing fish caught using poison or explosives.
Shuhadah said the department also conducts annual engagement sessions and awareness workshops on endangered marine species involving commercial and traditional fishermen, as well as fish vendors.
This year, three workshops were held in Semporna, Sandakan and Lahad Datu, with plans to expand the programme to include restaurant operators and to distribute awareness posters at restaurants and tourism centres.
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