IPOH: Investigation into the illegal fish bombing incident inside the Temenggor Forest Reserve in Hulu Perak is now ongoing.
Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said the matter was being investigated under the Perak Fisheries (Riverine) Rules by the Hulu Kinta Fisheries Department.
"Among the fishes found dead included Tor Tambroides (empurau), copper mahseer (tengas), putitor mahseer (kelah), bony-lip barb (terbul), tinfoil barb (lampam) and several other species that are endemic in the area.
"We are still working to collect evidence for the investigation," he said in a statement on Thursday (March 14).
Adnan said the empurau is a protected species under the Second Schedule of the Perak Fisheries (Riverine) Rules, which bans the catching, killing and possessing of the fish unless permitted by department officers.
"Those found guilty can be fined up to RM1000 or a maximum six months in jail or both.
"Among the fishing methods that are banned under the Fisheries Act included electrical shock, fish bomb or to use poison," he said.
"Such methods can cause damage to the ecosystem of the freshwater or sealife, causing the species to go extinct.
"Such an irresponsible incident has caused the continuity of the ecosystem in the area to be cut off, especially in areas that are the main habitat of the fishes to lay eggs and produce young fish, which is part of the food chain," he added.
Adnan said the department was prepared to work with anyone to solve this case.
"Those with information can contact the department's hotline at 03-8870 4058," he added.
