KUCHING: The Sarawak Government remains committed to protecting local aquatic biodiversity through the organisation of the inaugural Invasive Alien Fish Species Hunting Programme held on the banks of the Sarawak River here, on Wednesday.
The opening ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development of Sarawak, Datuk Martin Ben who stressed the importance of cooperation between various parties in containing the threat of invasive alien fish species to the balance of the state's water ecosystem.
According to him, the organisation of this programme is the result of strategic collaboration between the Sarawak Government and the Federal Government involving agencies such as the Sarawak Agriculture Department, Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS), Sarawak Rivers Authority (LSS), Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), North Kuching City Hall (DBKU), Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department (JPLS) and Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM).
“Invasive alien fish species are non-native aquatic organisms that have been introduced either intentionally or unintentionally into local waters, and are now threatening the survival of native species such as empurau, semah, tapah, tengadak, labang and sayan,” he said.
He added that the presence of these species not only disrupts the food chain and destroys natural habitats, but also causes a decline in water quality and erosion of river banks.
“Among the species identified as invasive include tilapia, African catfish, flower horn, arapaima and alligator fish,” he explained, while informing that the Sarawak Government is currently in the process of finalizing amendments to the State Fisheries Ordinance 2003 to strengthen control over this threat.
Meanwhile, Datuk Martin also urged the public to play the role of “citizen scientists” by reporting any activity of releasing alien species into public waters.
He also called for these species not to be used as bait, not to be released into open waters and to be destroyed if caught.
“I fully support this initiative and hope that more programs like this can be implemented not only as a control measure, but also as a platform to educate the community about the dangers of invasive alien species to the environment and local economy,” he stressed.
This program is one of the main initiatives of the Sarawak Department of Agriculture, Inland Fisheries Division together with the local community in ensuring the sustainability of Sarawak's native fish species continues to be preserved for future generations.
