What percentage of juvenile sharks and rays caught were released alive in the pilot program?

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Sixty-one Percent of Juvenile Sharks and Rays Caught in a Pilot Program Were Released Alive

In a recent pilot program conducted in Tun Mustapha Park, 61% of the sharks and rays recorded by participating fishermen were successfully released back into the sea. This initiative, focused on engaging local communities in marine conservation, involved 13 fishermen from Kampung Inaruntung and Kampung Perpaduan who were trained and equipped to safely release live catches.
Pilot Program Achieved Significant Live Release Rate

The pilot programme in Tun Mustapha Park demonstrated a promising success rate, with 61% of the 49 sharks and rays documented by participating fishermen being landed alive and subsequently released. This effort underscores a community-based approach to conservation, aiming to mitigate the impact of fishing on vulnerable shark and ray populations. The types of species released included bamboo sharks, catsharks, whiprays, and other stingray species.
Community Involvement is Key to Conservation Efforts

WWF-Malaysia's approach involves close collaboration with coastal communities to not only monitor catches but also to build awareness and capacity for the live release of juvenile sharks and rays. The program in Tun Mustapha Park is a direct outcome of this strategy, with fishermen actively participating in training and receiving ongoing support. The initiative has already garnered interest from neighbouring villages, indicating growing local commitment to sustainable fisheries and marine protection.
Decline in Shark Populations and Increase in Rays Observed

Research conducted across Sabah, including within Tun Mustapha Park, has revealed a notable shift in marine life, with rays appearing more frequently while shark populations have become increasingly scarce. This observation, derived from Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys (BRUVS) and fisheries landing surveys, suggests a potential imbalance in the ecosystem. Such findings align with global conservation concerns, as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has identified over one-third of shark and ray species worldwide as threatened with extinction.

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What percentage of juvenile sharks and rays caught were released alive in the pilot program?

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