Protection bid for Malaysian sharks

They wish to establish a shark sanctuary and general fishing controls in the Semporna Sea, whose 83 islands include the well-known diving destinations of Sipadan and Mabul.

According to their online petition, campaigners for the Semporna Shark Sanctuary want ideally to get 50,000 signatures.

However, Mabul-based divemaster and campaigner Oliver Ostick tells Divernet: “If we get 10,000 signatures then we can go to the government and have a chance of succeeding.”

At 19 January, signatories numbered nearly 5000.

Background information and links to the petition website are available in blogs run by PADI Project AWARE and Scuba Diver Life.