Species diversity and biology of landed sharks in Pulau Kambing site, Kuala Terengganu

Abstract

A total of 89 sharks landed at Pulau Kambing landing port from the Terengganu waters region, comprising the four families, Carcharhinidae, Hemiscylliidae, Sphyrnidae and Scyliorhinidae, and 8 of these shark species were examined. Measurements of size and weight were different and varied among species, ranging from 0.3 to 7 .5 kg in body weight and from 41.6 to I 05 cm in total length. Chiloscyllium punctatum were the most dominant species. The average size showed in the result, landed shark were abundance in juvenile stage from the total collection, especially for genus Carcharhinus and genus Sphyrna that landed, Carcharhinus sorrah, Carcharhinus sealei, Carcharhinus brevipinna and Sphyrna lewini is categorized as Endangered species and other sharks included in the landings are also categorized as Near Threatened. Thus, the current fishing methods could lead to critical levels of shark species in these waters, and even the future extinction of species.