Latest news with #NegriSembilanFisheriesDepartment
New Straits Times
07-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Fisheries Dept advises against releasing foreign fish species in public waters
SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan Fisheries Department has urged the public against releasing foreign fish species into public waters without first consulting the department. Its director Kasim Tawe said the department received a complaint regarding several individuals from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) who released fish into a drain at Jalan Lee Sam here on May 2. He said an inspection found that the fish released were African catfish, a foreign species considered a threat to native fish and the surrounding riverbed ecosystem. "Upon receiving the complaint, my team visited the location with representatives from the NGO and found around 50 non-native fish in the area, with water flowing into Sungai Linggi. "We informed them that African catfish are an invasive species and should not be released into public waters, as they pose a threat to native aquatic life," he told Bernama today. He said that, based on the water quality in the area, only two species, namely, puyu (climbing perch) and haruan (snakehead), are naturally suited to survive there. Kasim advised the public who wish to release fish into public waters to first refer to the Fisheries Department's website for information on which species are permitted and which are prohibited. Meanwhile, State Local Government Development, Housing and Transport Committee chairman J. Arul Kumar said the Seremban City Council (MBS) had been instructed to temporarily close off the area with immediate effect. "The public cannot arbitrarily release foreign fish or construct structures for that purpose in public waters without proper permission. "While the intention may be good, this is a public area and all activities must comply with established rules and procedures," he said. Earlier, a video showing a group of NGO members releasing non-native fish into the drain at Jalan Lee Sam went viral. –Bernama
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
PD has potential as new turtle nesting site
PORT DICKSON: Port Dickson has the potential to become a new nesting site for turtles along the Lukut to Tanjung Tuan coast. Agriculture, Food Security and Cost of Living Action Committee chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said his team also plans to gazette several locations along the coast as turtle landing sites. "So far, eight nests have been identified as locations for turtles to lay eggs. Turtle landings here can also be used as a new tourism product. "The state government and state Fisheries Department are discussing it (gazetting turtle landing areas). We will look for suitable methods, including the conservation and safety of the turtles themselves during the nesting period, because we want these animals to nest undisturbed in the future," he said. Jalaluddin said this to reporters during the Port Dickson Marine Biodiversity Conservation Programme in Tanjung Biru Beach, which was also attended by Negri Sembilan Fisheries Department director Kassim Tawe. Jalaluddin, who is also a senior exco member of the state government, said that 991 turtle eggs have been collected and incubated for conservation purposes as of this month. He said there are two turtle species – the Hawksbill Turtle and Olive Ridley Turtle – that come ashore and lay eggs from March to October, peaking in June. He also said Port Dickson is famous for diving activities due to its various beautiful coral reefs and marine life species, including reef fish, aquatic plants (latok), turtles as well as marine mammals, especially at Tanjung Tuan. In a separate development, Jalaluddin, who is also the Jelebu member of Parliament, said that his team will bring up the issue of reducing the speed limit in residential areas from 50 kilometres per hour (kph) to 30 kph at the upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting. He said this after accidents that occurred at the traffic light intersection of Taman Matahari Heights, Persiaran Senawang 1, which caused four deaths in the past three months in the state. – BERNAMA
