Sharks are in high demand internationally, with their fins, teeth and other body parts sought after, during a survey at the shark landing and trading centre at the Tanjung Luar Port Fish Market in East Lombok.
Since the 1940s, shark fisheries in Indonesia have developed into a high-value industry encompassing various species. Today, the country has emerged as one of the world’s largest producers of shark products, with an estimated annual output of up to 100,000 tonnes, highlighting the economic significance of the sector.
However, behind these impressive figures, populations of at least 114 shark species are now facing serious declines due to uncontrolled fishing. This pressure is not only driven by hunting and trade but is further exacerbated by marine ecosystem degradation and disruptions to the food chain.
With low reproductive rates, slow growth and long maturation periods, sharks are particularly vulnerable to overexploitation. This ongoing threat raises serious concerns about the survival of these iconic species and the future of increasingly fragile marine ecosystems.
Tanjung Luar Port in East Lombok remains one of Indonesia’s well-known shark landing and trading hubs. Driven by strong international demand from markets including China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Japan, almost every part of the shark — from fins to bones — is utilised, making the industry a vital source of livelihood for local coastal communities. – Bernama
