According to a picture floating around the internet, Baby hammerhead sharks are being captured and openly sold in the central fish market in Miri city center. The sight isn’t very pleasing as the precious creatures are put into display along with other fish species in the market. Malaysian Nature Society members and nature lovers are questioning whether there is any need for Sarawak fishermen to net these sharks.

A concerned netizen asked in response to the pictures being shared on social media showing a basketful of baby hammerhead sharks sold along with other species of fish "Is there a need to catch them or eat them?".

The hammerhead sharks are sold at the Miri central fish market which is located in the old China town area. The pictures have been forwarded to Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton which is basically a wildlife enforcement agency in Sarawak.

"From the pictures, it is hard to determine the exact species. I have referred this to my officers to probe," said Zolkipli. Checks showed that Sarawak coastal waters in the South China Sea have nine species of hammerheads, Four are listed as protected wildlife namely Oceanic Whitetip, Smooth Hammerhead, Great Hammerhead, and Wing Head.

Zolkipli said his enforcement unit would need to determine the exact species of hammerheads being sold in the Miri market with the Fisheries Department. Last week, netizens also spotted and raised concerns after baby grey sharks were found sold in the same fish market. These activities should be taken care of in order to save the endangered species in general.