KOTA KINABALU: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun has pledged his ministry’s support to the “Say no to shark fins soup” awareness programme organised by JCI Tanjung Aru Chapter.
JC Aderick Chong who is project manager of the awareness program, said Masidi who had expressed concern at the serious reduction in the number of sharks globally over the past two decades, said the ministry would support the JCI-Tanjung Aru anti-shark fin campaign.
“Masidi also assured us that he will try to get sharks included on the protected species list under the Sabah Wildlife Act within this year,” he said in a statement yesterday.
According to Aderick, Masidi pledged his support and assistance during a courtesy call by the JCI Tanjung Aru Chapter yesterday.
Aderick disclosed that the Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister will arrange a high-level government meeting to discuss how to best protect sharks in Sabah and then bring the recommendations to the state assembly sitting at the next available opportunity.
JCI Tanjung Aru Chapter kicked off the campaign against shark fins being served in eateries throughout the state and the ultimate aim of the campaign was to get sharks included on the protected species list under the Sabah Wildlife Act.
The list currently protects mammals such as the Rhinos and orangutan but it does not cover any fish species.
As a start to the “Say no to shark fins soup” awareness program, JCI Tanjung Aru Chapter has taken shark fins off its menu for all of its functions.
So far they have received support and endorsement from Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan and City Hall director general Datuk Yeo Boon Hai.