40,000 Catfish Fish Fry Released In Timah Tasoh To Boost Recreational Fishing In Perlis

PADANG BESAR, June 26 (Bernama) -- A total of 40,000 baung (catfish) fish fry were released into the Timah Tasoh Freshwater Fish Sanctuary near here today, as part of ongoing initiatives to strengthen the recreational fishing sector and ensure sustainable resources in Perlis.

Perlis Agriculture, Plantation and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Razali Saad said that apart from preserving local fishery resources, it is to add economic value for residents through recreational activities such as net-fishing and angling.

"This initiative can become an attraction for anglers and outsiders who come here. Recreational activities can also boost income for the surrounding communities," he said at the fish fry release programme today.

The initiative was officiated by Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli and also attended by Perlis Fisheries director Mohammed Roshaizat Mustaffa.

Meanwhile, Razali said the state thanked the federal government for providing an additional allocation of RM2 million, bringing the total allocation to RM5.8 million for this year for the benefit of the agriculture sector in Perlis.

Meanwhile, Roshaizat said the release of the baung fry maintains the native fish population in the area as well as rebalancing the ecosystem affected by the presence of invasive fish species.

“Among the invasive fish species identified as disrupting the ecosystem are peacock bass and humpback (bongkok) fish. These fish reproduce quickly and consume the eggs of local fish, negatively impacting the population of native fish such as baung, temperas and patong.

“We have also carried out awareness programmes with the community and university students to catch these invasive fishes, but the impact is still being monitored as the reproduction rate of these fishes is very fast,” he said.

He also reminded the public not to arbitrarily release any fish species into rivers or lakes without permission from the Fisheries Department, as legal action could be taken according to the Perlis River Fisheries Rules in Perlis.

-- BERNAMA