Invasive fish driving native species to extinction, says Perak exco

 

FMT:

Invasive fish driving native

species to extinction, says

Perak exco

Bernama

-08 Sep 2024, 10:52 PM

Native species such as the kelah, temoleh, kelisa, lampam sungai, bujuk and patin buah, which are of high market value, are facing critical threats.

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A participant in a fish hunt for invasive fish in Parit, Perak, displaying his prize catch. (Zolkafly Harun Facebook pic)

PARIT: 

Several native fish species in the Perak river, Bukit Merah lake and Temenggor lake are being pushed to extinction by invasive species, says Perak executive councillor Zolkafly Harun.

He said the Perak fisheries department had found that species such as the kelah, temoleh, kelisa, lampam sungai, bujuk and patin buah, which are of high market value, are facing critical threats.

Predation by invasive fish species was among various threats causing a decline in the population of native fish in Perak, pushing them towards extinction, he said here after attending a fish hunt for invasive species in the Perak river.

He said activities such as the release of fish for religious rituals, like fulfilling vows or wishes, have contributed to the influx of invasive fish species.

Perak executive councillor Zolkafly Harun inspecting the Perak river in Parit, where a hunt for invasive fish was held. (Facebook pic)

The Perak fisheries department will hold meetings with traders of ornamental fish and representatives of temples and shrines to explain that foreign fish should not be used for these rituals,

 he said.

He said some owners of pet fish would also release their fish into rivers or lakes when the fish grow too big and difficult to manage.

Zolkafly, who is the executive councillor for rural development, plantation, agriculture and food industry, said the livelihoods of local fishermen was at stake.

He said fisheries officials are considering improvements to the Perak Fisheries (Riverine) Rules 1992 to ensure they are relevant to current conditions and legal standards.

He said the need to amend these regulations arises from uncontrolled foreign fish releases, the need to strengthen land fisheries enforcement actions and the need for enhanced measures to conserve native fish species.

Once the study is complete, the proposed improvements will be presented to the state executive council for approval and to the state legislative assembly for amendments,

 he added.