Poaching issue of concern for region: Rahim

Daily Express Malaysia

Kota Kinabalu: Poaching by foreigners in Malaysian waters off Sabah not only underscores the losses suffered by the nation but is also felt by neighbouring countries like Philippines and Indonesia.

Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail, said this in reference to the recent poaching of turtles, sharks, tunas and rays by Chinese fishermen off Sabah.

"We share many valuable resources in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seas, particularly species that are migratory or stocks that straddle our borders such as marine mammals, tunas and turtles.

"Therefore, I am certain that poaching of marine species is also an issue of concern for the Filipinos and Indonesians, Philippines and Indonesia could also call the poaching of turtles as losses of their own as both countries have strong turtle conservation programmes like Malaysia," he said.

Rahim said this when launching a three-day 2nd meeting of the SSME Programme Tri-National Committee, here, Friday.

Among the focuses of the meeting of the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Eco-region (SSME) Programme Tri-National Committee, will be on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, endangered, migratory and charismatic species as well as marine protected areas.

The SSME, which is an area of more than a million square kilometres, is a treasure trove of marine biodiversity enjoyed by the three countries.

In the meeting, the delegates will deliberate on plans for future conservation activities.

Also present were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Datuk Gregory Joitol cum head delegation of Malaysia, Sabah Fisheries Department Director Rayner Datuk Stuel Galid, SSME Committee Chairman Dr Ir. Gellwyn Yusuf, head of delegation of the Republic of Indonesia Dr Samedi, and Head of the delegation of the Philippines, Dr Manuel V.A. Bravo.

In this respect, Rahim expressed hoped that conservation initiatives planned under this SSME programme will result in stronger cooperation in combating the wanton destruction of the shared treasures and heritage between Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines.

"A week ago, enforcement agencies from our country and Philippines had discussions on the next round of operations during the 14th Border Patrol Coordinating Group meeting here.

"Another example is the Joint Management Committee of the Philippines and Malaysia that oversees turtle conservation and protection efforts. Not only that, Indonesia and our nation also have similar arrangement," he said.

Rahim said he has high hopes that such collaboration with the two neighbouring countries will become more enhanced to achieve the desired objectives.

In addition, he hoped the SSME programme would include proposals for strong and focused communication, education and public awareness initiatives.