KOTA KINABALU: A total of 1,000 siakap (barramundi) fry and 2,500 giant freshwater prawn fry were released into Sabah’s interior Sungai Padas, about 170km from here, as part of efforts to enrich fisheries resources and promote recreational activities.
The fry were contributed by the state Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar as part of efforts to enrich river fisheries resources and support the development of recreational areas in the district.
The release adjacent to the new Tenom bridge in town was done by the minister’s Special Officer, Mohd Nizam Ag. Kassim, together with Tenom District Fisheries Officer, Francis Tikoi, and staff from the Tenom District Fisheries Department.
Mohd. Nizam said the release program on Sunday (June 28) was one of the initiatives of the Tenom District Fisheries Department, in line with the ministry’s plan to develop the area around the New Tenom Bridge into the “Esplanade Tenom.”
He hoped that the released fry would grow well and reproduce to increase the fish and prawn population in Sungai Padas.
According to him, conservation and enhancement of river fisheries resources not only benefit the ecosystem but also have the potential to become a recreational attraction and an inland fishing activity in the future.
