By Sofia Nasir
SUBANG JAYA, Dec 8 — The state government intends to expand the suckermouth catfish (pleco) catching initiative next year, following encouraging responses from the community.
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim said Selangor also aims to enhance awareness campaigns about invasive fish species, including introducing new legal enforcement measures.
“After the first programme we conducted in September, we found the (public response was very positive, so we plan to continue (it) on a larger scale.
“There are still many pleco fish in our rivers, so we are exploring faster ways to eradicate them, including biological methods and law enforcement,” he told the press after observing the pleco fish-catching initiative offering RM1 per kg at one of Sungai Kuyoh’s tributaries in Seri Kembangan today.
Izham added that the state government plans to introduce a method for disposing of ornamental fish that are often released into drainage systems upon maturity.
The act of releasing aquarium fish into drainage systems turns them into invasive species, ultimately disrupting Malaysia’s aquatic ecosystem.
“We need to provide disposal sites so that ornamental fish owners do not release their fish into the drainage system. This is the main cause of many alien fish species in our rivers,” he explained.
The pleco fish-catching initiative was first introduced and implemented throughout September at the National River Trail in Sungai Langat as a measure to conserve local species and rivers.
The inaugural programme successfully landed 4,467 kg of fish, with over 100 members of the public from across the state participating.
[caption id="attachment_382664" align="aligncenter" width="1154"]
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim (centre) observes the haul of suckermouth catfish (pleco) caught during the pleco fish-catching programme at Sungai Kuyoh, Seri Kembangan, on December 8, 2024. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
