Wild Live Coral & Giant Clam Collection - Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia

[northborneoguy]

It has come to my attention, and eventual personal observation/investigation at visiting two (2) marine aquarium species export / shipping outfits located in Semporna, that not only are they exporting marine aquarium trade fishes, but live adult Tridacna crocea, T. maxima, and a variety of large polyp hard corals (that can not be cultured). They tell the Sabah State Fisheries people that the fish are from Tawi Tawi and just being trans-shipped. So be it. Where are the entry / customs paper works from Tawi Tawi?

On shipping CITES appendix II species (hard corals & Tridacna clams)..they defend themselves with signed/approved CITES export permits issued from the Sabah State Fisheries Director's desk & signature. (?)

The point here in ScubaBoard is to take note in the tourist diving community that this is taking place, whereas, it was one of the Semporna tour dive operators that briefed me and originally brought this to my attention.

A recent shipment to KL was approximately 1.2 tonnes...live corals, fish, etc. Two large lorry trucks were used to deliver the boxes to the Tawau MAS Cargo. All from Semporna.

 

[okidoki]

Hi Northnorneoguy,

I have passed your post and will be waiting for a response what the right course of action could be with regards of your concern.
Thanks for bringing it up

 

[firdausg]

It has come to my attention, and eventual personal observation/investigation at visiting two (2) marine aquarium species export / shipping outfits located in Semporna, that not only are they exporting marine aquarium trade fishes, but live adult Tridacna crocea, T. maxima, and a variety of large polyp hard corals (that can not be cultured). They tell the Sabah State Fisheries people that the fish are from Tawi Tawi and just being trans-shipped. So be it. Where are the entry / customs paper works from Tawi Tawi?

On shipping CITES appendix II species (hard corals & Tridacna clams)..they defend themselves with signed/approved CITES export permits issued from the Sabah State Fisheries Director's desk & signature. (?)

The point here in ScubaBoard is to take note in the tourist diving community that this is taking place, whereas, it was one of the Semporna tour dive operators that briefed me and originally brought this to my attention.

A recent shipment to KL was approximately 1.2 tonnes...live corals, fish, etc. Two large lorry trucks were used to deliver the boxes to the Tawau MAS Cargo. All from Semporna.

Im searching the net on buying coral, suddenly i got here.. Im one of the coral lovers, however, i respect your love to the nature more. I just want to start this business in hoping not damaging any nature if possible. If my act of buying coral to sell in Malaysia's market is against the law and damage the nature i would stop at this point. Most coral i want to buy is came from Indonesia. Most coral that i want to import is scolymia (hard to cultured), mushroom leather, polyps and cynarina(hard to cultured). As i have been read your comments, it seem you got a good knowledge in importing and exporting live coral in term of law.
1) Did i abuse any law in Malaysia?
2) Did i threat the live coral in nature? (p/s: im muslim, our religion want their follower to preserve nature, damaging it would be a big sin)
Please enlightenment me since im still seeking a knowledge in this business and curious to know what is right and wrong if i do this business. Im very sorry if i became one of the people that you hate.

 

[Progen]

I've made a report before on corals as well since the fine for damaging and removing from the marine parks carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 but the lazy buggers just laughed me off and without asking anymore, said that those were from reefs not within the marine parks. They're so lazy and lacking in concern that I'm very sure that they have almost zero education and consider the act of wearing their uniform everyday to equate to working.