PARIT: The Perak Fisheries Department is aiming for zero presence of alien or invasive fish in the state’s rivers within the next five years, following concerns over their impact on ecosystems and the survival of native species.

Perak Fisheries director Mohd Ghazali Abdul Manap said, however, that it would not be an easy task as non-indigenous fish species such as plecos (also known locally as “bandaraya fish”), tilapia, redtail catfish and Chao Phraya giant catfish have long existed in the country’s waterways, especially in Perak.

“For example, the presence of plecos mostly originates from the ornamental fish industry.

“When owners can no longer manage them because of their growth and aggressive nature, they are released into public waters.

“Once released, these fish not only disrupt the local ecosystem but also damage riverbanks, which are often their habitats or breeding grounds,” he said in a recent interview.

Ghazali said that to achieve this target, various initiatives, including awareness campaigns on the impact of alien fish, have been implemented since 2019 in collaboration with various parties, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

“We don’t just offer explanations in person or through social media, but also organise ‘grand prix’ (competitions) to catch invasive species in the Pinji and Kinta rivers. At one point, we managed to catch about two tonnes.

“This is one of the methods we believe has potential, attracting public participation and making it easier to combat the presence of these fish in public waters through broader involvement,” he said.

He added that the department also engages with houses of worship to raise awareness of the dangers of indiscriminately releasing non-native fish into rivers, even as part of religious rituals.

“We propose using native species for religious purposes instead of alien ones. This is important to avoid harming the aquatic environment,” he said.

He said any parties, including NGOs, interested in conducting alien fish hunting activities in Perak must first obtain approval from the department.

He said this approval is crucial to ensure that the activity is carried out legally and does not harm native species. – Bernama