5 Kerap Tutul Sharks Monitored By The Waters Of Krueng Raya Aceh, 1 Trapped In Jala Released By Fishermen

ACEH - A giant leopard shark measuring about 8 meters is trapped in a ground trawler, aka a fisherman's net in the lip area of the Malacca Strait Beach. The shark was released by fishermen who saw it while looking for fish.

"So when traditional fishermen pulled the trawler (jala) there was already a shark, but fishermen did not do anything about it," said Secretary of Panglima Laot Lhok Krueng Raya, Yusman Ahmad in Aceh Besar, Thursday, August 24, as reported by Antara.

He explained that fishermen from Gampong Lamreh, Grand Mosque District, Aceh Besar District who released the shark already knew that the animal was protected and worth saving. The shark was finally released back into the sea.

"Earlier released directly by fishermen, not disturbed and done anything, they also don't want to sell," he said.

According to information gathered from local residents, sharks have often been monitored on the lips of the Malacca Strait Beach or Krueng Raya waters since the past month with a total of about five tails.

However, only one shark caught in the fishing ground trawler was immediately released into the sea.

Meanwhile, Panglima Laot Aceh Miftach Cut Adek said the mammal was a leopard shark (Rhincodon Typus) or a whale shark or also called a stupid shark.

According to Miftach, the spotted shark is included in a protected shark so fishermen are advised to save it.

"Full protected animals and customary Laot (sea) law recommend to fishermen to save and protect them," Miftach said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Grand Mosque Police, Ipda Rolly Yuiza Away, said that his party had indeed received information from the coast guard or KPLP that in the Malahayati Port area, a spotted shark was seen.

The Grand Mosque Police also really appreciates the fishermen of Krueng Raya who have released the marine biota back into the sea.

"What we see right now is that the people, especially the Krueng Raya fishermen, already have the awareness to preserve the environment at sea," he said.