The Awareness Program on Invasive Fish Species and the “Moh! Tangkap Baung Ekor Merah” (Let’s Catch the Red-Tailed Catfish) competition, organized by the Pahang State Fisheries Department, was held today at Pekan Riverfront, Pahang. This program is part of the Department’s ongoing initiatives to raise public awareness about the threat of invasive alien fish species to the country’s freshwater ecosystems.
The official closing ceremony was officiated by YB Dato’ Mohd Sharim Haji Md Zain, State Assemblyman (ADUN) for Chini, and attended by the Director-General of Fisheries Malaysia, YBhg. Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain.
According to Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain, Malaysia is home to over 449 native freshwater fish species, including kelah, temoleh, sebarau, and river catfish, which are ecologically and economically important. However, the presence of invasive alien species such as peacock bass, African catfish, red-tailed catfish, and sucker fish (commonly known as “ikan bandaraya”) is threatening this biodiversity.
“These alien species are aggressive, reproduce rapidly, and can outcompete native species for food and habitat. Since 2022, the Department of Fisheries has carried out 17 invasive fish eradication activities, successfully removing more than 4.4 metric tonnes of these species from our waters,” he explained.
This event also saw participation from local communities and anglers nationwide in activities aimed at capturing invasive species, particularly the red-tailed catfish (Hemibagrus wyckioides), a species originating from the Mekong River that is increasingly spreading in local rivers.
During the same event, the Department also presented Matching Grant assistance worth RM331,400 under the Aquaculture Integration Development Program (PPIA) to three main participants from the Rizqi Cluster in Kampung Peramu, Pekan, as well as a total of RM66,000 in Inland Fishermen Cost of Living Allowance (ESHND) to 22 inland fishermen from the district.
Also present at the program were Mr. Ruzaidi bin Mamat, Senior Director of Capture Fisheries Resources Division; Mr. Abdullah bin Jaafar, Senior Director of Fisheries Conservation and Protection Division; Mr. Roslan bin Abu Hasan, Director of Fisheries for the State of Pahang; and staff from the Pahang State Fisheries Office.
