BY SITI NURAIN RATANI
KUCHING: The Invasive Alien Fish Hunting Programme, held for the first time at the Sarawak River, has been described as a significant initial step in addressing the threat of alien species to local fisheries resources and aquatic ecosystems.
Deputy director of the Sarawak Department of Agriculture, Gilbert Igi, said the three-day programme, which began on May 13, is part of a national campaign being conducted simultaneously across the country until May 18.
“This programme involves collaboration among various agencies including the Department of Fisheries Malaysia, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), Sarawak Rivers Board, and the Marine Fisheries Department.
“It aims to control and curb the spread of invasive alien fish species, which are becoming increasingly rampant,” he said during the programme’s launch yesterday.
He stated that some of the species identified as dominating local waters include toman, African catfish, redtail catfish, and arapaima—all of which pose a risk of driving native species like empurau, semah, tapah, tengadak, labang, and sayan to extinction.
“These species were introduced into local waters either intentionally or unintentionally.
“They can survive in various water conditions, reproduce quickly, and aggressively compete with native species for food and space,” he added.
Gilbert explained that the presence of invasive species also affects the income of freshwater cage farmers, such as those in Batang Ai, where foreign species have invaded aquaculture areas.
“The Sarawak Department of Agriculture received complaints from cage farming participants in Batang Ai regarding the presence of toman. This species has different colours and characteristics compared to local fish, indicating it is not native to those waters.
“Therefore, this programme is one of the Sarawak Agriculture Department’s initiatives in response to the call by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia, where the main objective is to reduce the threat of invasive alien fish species in Sarawak waters,” he said.
He said the programme also aims to reduce the population of invasive alien fish, conduct an inventory of inland fishery resources, and educate communities about the dangers these species pose to the ecosystem and local economy.
“A total of 43 officers from the Department of Agriculture, together with inland fishing communities from the Sejijak and Paroh areas, were involved in this activity,” he said.
Various methods were used, including fishing rods, nets, traps, and fish baskets, covering a one-kilometre stretch from the Petanak Wet Market Jetty to the Kampung Gersik Water Taxi Jetty.
He said the captured alien fish were recorded and disposed of, while native fish were released back into the river.
He added that any invasive species caught must be destroyed immediately and not released back into the water.
“This effort is not only to protect the ecosystem but also to ensure future generations can still enjoy the diversity of Sarawak’s increasingly threatened native fish,” he said.
At the same time, awareness exhibitions by agencies such as the Department of Environment (DOE), Sarawak Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM), and SFC were also held to inform the public about the issue of invasive alien fish.
