By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, Sept 29 — The initiative to catch as many suckermouth catfish (pleco) at Denai Sungai Kebangsaan in Sungai Langat, organised by the state government throughout this month, aims to preserve the aquatic ecosystem.
Selangor Fisheries Department director Noraisyah Abu Bakar said the inaugural programme should be continued as it benefits sustainability and future generations.
"This programme is excellent because its goal is to preserve the river's ecosystem. We will review all aspects before making a decision, but it is highly likely that this initiative will continue.
"We are awaiting the results of discussions after the programme concludes tomorrow (today)," she told SelangorKini yesterday.
Every weekend throughout this month, the state government, through the agricultural standing committee, has organised predator fish catching efforts with an incentive of RM1 per kilogramme.
The incentive was announced by Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari in August as a measure to reduce the invasive fish population, which has been a contributing factor to riverbank and embankment erosion.
Approximately 3,734 kg of invasive fish have been caught since September 1, and the programme will conclude this evening.
Previously, the state government had set a target to capture 50,000 kg of pleco fish through this programme during the month.
[caption id="attachment_372340" align="aligncenter" width="1190"]
A large haul of the invasive suckermouth catfish (ikan bandaraya) caught during the Pertubuhan Komuniti Pemburu Ikan Bandaraya programme at Denai Sungai Kebangsaan Sungai Langat in Bangi, on September 1, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIASELANGOR[/caption]
