Catch of the day: Perak Fisheries has actively combated non-native fish species, like the ikan bandaraya seen here in this photo, through collaborative initiatives such as awareness campaigns and alien fish hunting competitions in the Pinji and Kinta rivers.
PARIT: The Perak Fisheries Department is aiming for zero presence of alien fish species in the state’s rivers within the next five years, following concern over their impact on ecosystems and the survival of native fish species.
However, Perak Fisheries director Mohd Ghazali Abdul Manap said it would not be an easy task as non-indigenous fish species such as plecos (also known locally as ikan 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 waterways.
“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 NGOs.
“We don’t just offer explanations in person or through social media, but also organise 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 houses of worship to raise awareness on 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,” said Mohd Ghazali.
He said any parties, including NGOs, interested in conducting alien fish hunting activities in Perak must first obtain approval from the department.
Such approval, he added, is crucial to ensure the activity is carried out legally and does not harm native fish species.
