MALACCA: Fishermen and villagers from Kampung Muara Sungai Duyong today were taken aback by the sight of a two-and-a-half metre whale shark, beached after being caught in a fishing net.
The endangered species, estimated to weigh 1.5 tonnes, became entangled in a fishing net near Pulau Hanyut this morning.
Fisheries Department officials were rushed to the scene and led efforts to guide the whale shark back to safe waters near Pulau Udan.
In Malaysia, the whale shark is listed as a protected species under the Fisheries Act 1985.