KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- As much as 95 per cent of the fish recorded in Tasik Ampang Hilir are alien species, posing a serious threat to the balance of the country's freshwater ecosystem.
Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said that in this regard, mitigation efforts need to be enhanced, including through data-driven approaches, community education, and strategic cooperation involving the government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The practice of releasing pet fish into lakes, dams, and public irrigation areas when the fish become larger or difficult to care for can harm aquatic biodiversity and threaten the survival of local fish species.
"If we do not educate, this matter will become a culture that is difficult to curb and will become a long-term problem," he said while speaking at 'Program Kelestarian Perikanan Darat: Mitigasi Memburu Ikan Asing' at Tasik Ampang Hilir here today.
The foreign fish hunting programmr, which has been implemented from 2022 to 2025, has recorded a catch of 19.74 tonnes, indicating that the issue of the spread of this species needs to be addressed more seriously.
Among the steps that need to be intensified are increasing the activity of catching foreign fish, releasing local fish fry to help balance the population, and expanding education to the community to prevent them from releasing pet fish into public waters.
He also said that the ministry is reviewing efforts to tighten existing regulations, including the possibility of banning certain fish species identified as threatening the local ecosystem.
Agrobank also released 1,400 local fish fry into the lake, consisting of 1,100 baung fish fry and 300 lampam sungai fish fry, to help support the conservation of local species.
Records from the Malaysian Department of Fisheries show that out of 154 fish recorded in Tasik Ampang Hilir, 146 were foreign species, while eight were local species.
Meanwhile, Agrobank chief development officer Ahmad Arif Abu Bakar said that efforts to restore the balance between local and foreign fish populations need to be supported by increasing public awareness and education on the importance of preserving the country's biodiversity.
"The public needs to understand their responsibility in maintaining the ecosystem, including not releasing pet fish into rivers or lakes when the fish grow larger," he said.
The programme gathered around 250 participants from seven agencies and organisations, with the main activities being catching alien fish using seine nets, cast nets, fishing lines and fish traps.
-- BERNAMA