TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Marine Affairs and Fishery Ministry will extend the ban on shark fin exports, said the ministry’s directorate general secretary of marine space management Agus Dermawan. “It may be extended, but I don’t know when,” he said Saturday.

Shark fin export has officially been suspended after Marine Affairs and Fishery Minister Susi Pudjiastuti issued on December 10, 2014, Regulation No. 59/2014 regarding a ban on hammerhead and oceanic whitetip sharks until November 2015. It had since been extended with Marine Affairs and Fishery Ministry Regulation No. 34/2015, which is effective until December 31, 2016.

According to Agus, Indonesia was the world’s largest shark fin exporter. In 2012, for example, Indonesia exported 434 tons of shark fin worth over US$6 million, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded.

He said that the ministry has joined hands with researchers to count the number of endangered shark species left in Indonesia. The regulation about the ban on export and hunting will be based on the outcome of the research. Despite the export ban, hunting and trade of certain shark species for domestic consumption are still allowed.

Agus said since 2013 five shark species have been listed as endangered, four of which hailed from Indonesia, including hammerhead and oceanic whitetip sharks. Hammerhead sharks include Sphyrna lewini, Sphyrna zygaena, dan Sphyrna mokarran, whereas oceanic whitetip sharks include Carcharhinus longimanus.

Despite the official export ban, rare shark fin smuggling continues to happen. In February, Directorate of Customs and Excise of Finance Ministry Tanjung Perak office, Surabaya, foiled an attempt to smuggle 20 tons of shark fins and jellyfish to Hong Kong.

Therefore, Marine Affairs and Fishery Minister Susi Pudjiastuti vows to enhance the Task Force 115, who are tasked with eradicating illegal fishing practices. “We will deploy Custom & Excise and the Task Force personnel to monitor smuggling,” Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said.

Meanwhile, Oceans Campaigner of Greenpeace Indonesia Sumardi Ariansyah has urged the government to do more than just banning shark imports. According to him, shark fin consumption in Chinese restaurants has also contributed to the declining population of the species, although not as high as foreign demand. “The government must set up and establish better and more comprehensive policies,” he said.

DANANG FIRMANTO | AHMAD FAIZ