LEGAL MEASURES ON THE CONTROL OF SHARK HUNTING: CASE STUDY ON AUSTRALIAN LAW AND JAPANESE LAW

Abstract

The rapid decline of shark populations in Thailand has become a significant concern for the sustainablity of coastal ecosystems. This decline is largely attributed to shark hunting conducted for various purposes, particularly for commercial expliitation. Sharks are frequently hunted for their fins, which are widely consumed as a delicacy in international markets. Another contributing factor is that fishermen often attempt to reduce shark populations because sharks prey on commercially valuable fish species that constitute an important source of income for local fisheries. These practices have caused serious ecological consequences for coastal ecosystems, as sharks play a critical ecological role in maintaining marine balance and coastal stability. Although Thailand is a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which aims to regulate and control international trade in endangered wildlife, the existing legal measures in Thailand appear to be insufficient to effectively address the problem of shark hunting. Therefore, this study examines and compares the legal frameworks of Australia and Japan with Thai law in order to propose amendments and improvements to Thailand’s legal system for more effective regulation and control of shark hunting.

Keywords: Shark Hunting, Comparative Law, Legal Regulation