Rampant Tuba Fishing Sparks Concern Among Felda Kerteh 3 Residents

DUNGUN, April 4 (Bernama) -- Residents of Felda Kerteh 3, Paka, near here have raised concern over increasingly rampant tuba fishing in Sungai Rasau, which is affecting the livelihoods of local river fishermen. 

Felda Kerteh 3 Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) chairman Alias Mamat said that since January, four cases of fish poisoning using the plant-based toxins had been reported in the river, with the latest incident occurring on Wednesday.

He said the irresponsible acts had damaged the river ecosystem and threatened the sustainability of aquatic life.

“In the latest incident, thousands of fish carcasses were seen floating at various points along Sungai Rasau, believed to have been poisoned.

“The individuals responsible are thought to have carried out tuba fishing at multiple spots along the river, spanning about four kilometres from Felda Kerteh 1 to Felda Kerteh 3,” he told reporters here today.

He said among the species found dead were lampam, baung, sebarau, selat, tilan, terbul and haruan.

Meanwhile, 60-year-old villager Zawawi Ibrahim said he often fishes in the river, relying on his catch not only for daily meals but also to supplement his family’s income.

“I catch lampam, baung and sebarau as they fetch high prices in the market, between RM15 and RM25 per kg.

“These fish are becoming increasingly scarce in the river due to the widespread tuba fishing, especially during the dry season,” he said.

Felda Kerteh 3 manager Mohamad Hairun Abd Rahman, 38, expressed disappointment over the actions of individuals who use tuba fishing to catch large numbers of fish, even at the cost of killing young fish and damaging the river’s ecosystem.

He said the river is a popular spot for residents of Felda Kerteh 3 as well as outsiders for fishing, in addition to being an important source of livelihood for the local community.

“We will report this to the Fisheries Department so that an investigation can be carried out and those responsible can be held accountable, to prevent such activities from happening again,” he said.

Terengganu Fisheries Department director Pang Nyukang, when contacted, said the department has so far received no official report of the alleged tuba fishing in Sungai Rasau.

“Fisheries Department officers will conduct investigations if a report is lodged,” he said.

-- BERNAMA