What is the trend of threatened shark and ray species in Malaysia?

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The Number of Threatened Shark and Ray Species in Malaysia Has Doubled Since 2014

New research indicates a significant increase in the number of threatened shark and ray species in Malaysia. The total count of such species has doubled since 2014, with the number of those classified as endangered or critically endangered more than tripling within the same period. This alarming trend highlights the growing pressure on these marine populations and underscores the urgent need for enhanced conservation measures and increased community involvement in protecting Malaysia's marine biodiversity.
Escalating Threat Levels for Sharks and Rays

The findings from WWF-Malaysia's research reveal a stark deterioration in the conservation status of sharks and rays within Malaysian waters. A 2021 reassessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) found that over one-third of shark and ray species globally face the threat of extinction. In Malaysia, this global concern is mirrored, with a doubling of threatened species since 2014. This escalation signifies a worsening situation for these vital marine predators.
Tripling of Endangered and Critically Endangered Species

Beyond the overall increase in threatened species, the number of sharks and rays classified as either endangered or critically endangered in Malaysia has seen an even more dramatic rise, multiplying by more than three times since 2014. This dramatic increase in the most severe threat categories suggests that many populations are nearing a tipping point, with a high risk of extinction if current trends continue. Such a significant jump indicates a failure of existing conservation efforts to adequately protect the most vulnerable species.
Declining Abundance and Juvenile Catches

The research also points to a concerning scarcity of reef predators in certain areas, with no sharks recorded at some sites in Sabah, such as Mabul and Kapalai Islands, during surveys. Concurrently, catch landing surveys conducted between November 2023 and December 2024 in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan recorded a substantial number of juvenile sharks and rays. Approximately 80% of sharks and 93% of rays landed had not yet reached reproductive age, posing a severe threat to the long-term recovery of these populations, especially given that many species take 12 to 15 years to mature.

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What is the trend of threatened shark and ray species in Malaysia?

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