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Is whale meat illegal in Malaysia?

Partly. Whale meat is restricted in Malaysia. Selling listed whales or dolphins needs the fisheries chief's permit.

Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) Regulations 1999 reg 2(1): no person shall possess, sell, buy, export or transport listed species except with the Director-General's written permission; marine mammals are in the Schedule (NOAA, Aug 2025); 9 more cetaceans being added (Malay Mail, 20 Feb 2026). Permit route + species list = partial.

Source: Fisheries Regs 1999; NOAA

• Malaysia is one of 35 countries where whale meat is banned, and 7 more restrict it.
• Its neighbours: banned in 0 of 3.
• In Asia: banned in 4 of 46 countries.

Other countries that ban whale meat

AustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzechiaEstoniaFranceGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyLatviaLithuaniaAll 35 on the map ›

What else is banned in Malaysia