Dr Rundi: State govt reviews Fisheries Ordinance amendments to address invasive alien fish
KUCHING (May 14): The state government is reviewing proposed amendments to the Sarawak Fisheries Ordinance 2003 to include 40 invasive alien fish species in an effort to strengthen legal enforcement against their spread in local waterways, said Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
The Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister stated that the amendment marks a significant step by the state government to curb the ecological and economic threats posed by these species as the presence of invasive alien species such as African catfish, redtail catfish, flowerhorn, alligator gar, dragonfish and arapaima poses a serious threat to Sarawak's native aquatic biodiversity.
'These organisms are not native to Malaysia and were introduced into local waters either deliberately or accidentally.
'Their highly invasive nature, marked by rapid reproduction, resilience, and adaptability, allows them to dominate ecosystems quickly,' he said in his speech at the launch of the inaugural Elimination of Invasive Fish Species programme at a hotel here today.
His speech was read by Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben.
He further noted that the 40 invasive species were listed by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia in 2004 under the Fisheries (Prohibition of Import) Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2011), and the Sarawak government is now working to reflect this list in its own state legislation.
He emphasised that this is a key move in managing and enforcing control over these alien species to prevent them from further spreading across Sarawak's inland waters.
He warned that these species endanger native freshwater fish such as Empurau, Semah, Tengadak, and Labang, which have naturally existed in Sarawak's rivers for generations.
'These alien species compete for food and habitat, disrupt the food chain, reduce water quality, and threaten the survival of native species,' he said.
Dr Rundi also acknowledged that increasing public awareness, particularly on social media, has highlighted the spread of these species, which are being found more frequently in local rivers and lakes.
Hence to combat the issue, he urged the public to become active participants in monitoring and reporting sightings of invasive fish.
'Everyone has a role to play and if you see anyone releasing these species into the water, report it to the authorities. Don't use them as bait, don't release them, and if you catch one, destroy it immediately. Not cook it, destroy it,' he said.
He encouraged the public to become 'citizen scientists' by helping authorities document and address the spread of these species and to educate family and friends on the dangers they pose.
Meanwhile Dr Rundi also expressed his appreciation to the Sarawak Agriculture Department for leading the Elimination of Invasive Fish Species programme and collaborating with agencies and communities for this first-of-its-kind initiative in the state.
'I hope this programme will serve as the beginning of more similar efforts to come. Let us continue to work together to protect our rivers and biodiversity,' he said.
The programme featured public awareness activities and the symbolic removal of invasive fish from the Sarawak River.
The event was jointly organised by the federal and state governments in collaboration with various agencies including the Sarawak Agriculture Department, Sarawak Rivers Board, Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) and Sarawak Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM Sarawak).
Also present were Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and other officials.
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