Perak Aims To Rid Rivers Of Alien Fish In Five Years

PARIT, July 25 (Bernama) -- The Perak Fisheries Department is aiming for zero presence of alien fish species in the state's river waters within the next five years, following concerns over their impact on ecosystems and the survival of native fish species.

Perak Fisheries director Mohd Ghazali Abdul Manap said, however, that it would not be an easy task as non-indigenous fish species such as plecos (also known locally as "bandaraya"), tilapia, redtail catfish and Chao Phraya giant catfish have long existed in public waters, especially in Perak.

“For example, the presence of plecos mostly originates from the ornamental fish industry. When owners can no longer manage them due to their growth and aggressive nature, they are released into public waters.

“Once released, these fish not only disrupt the local ecosystem but also damage riverbanks, which are often their habitats or breeding grounds,” he told Bernama recently.

Mohd Ghazali said that to achieve this target, various initiatives, including awareness campaigns on the impact of alien fish, have been implemented since 2019 in collaboration with various parties, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

“We don't just offer explanations in person or through social media, but also organise ‘grand prix’ (competitions) to hunt for alien fish in the Pinji and Kinta rivers. At one point, we managed to catch about two tonnes.

“This is one of the methods we believe has potential, attracting public participation and making it easier to combat the presence of these fish in public waters through broader involvement,” he said.

He added that the department also engages with houses of worship to raise awareness against the indiscriminate release of non-native fish into rivers, even if done as part of religious rituals.

“We propose using native species for religious purposes instead of alien ones. This is important to avoid harming the aquatic environment,” he said.

He said any parties, including NGOs, interested in conducting alien fish hunting activities in Perak must first obtain approval from the department.

He said such approval is crucial to ensure the activity is carried out legally and does not harm native fish species inhabiting the area.

-- BERNAMA