KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 — Alien fish account for 95 per cent of fish recorded in Tasik Ampang Hilir, posing a serious threat to the balance of Malaysia’s freshwater ecosystem.
Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said mitigation efforts needed to be strengthened through data-driven approaches, community education and strategic cooperation involving the government, private sector and non-governmental organisations.
He warned that releasing pet fish into lakes, dams and public waterways when they grow too large or become difficult to care for could harm aquatic biodiversity and threaten the survival of local species.
“If we do not educate, this matter will become a culture that is difficult to curb and will become a long-term problem,” he said at the “Program Kelestarian Perikanan Darat: Mitigasi Memburu Ikan Asing” at Tasik Ampang Hilir here today.
The alien fish-catching programme, conducted from 2022 to 2025, recorded a total catch of 19.74 tonnes, highlighting the need to address the spread of these species more seriously.
Isham said measures included increasing efforts to catch alien fish, releasing local fish fry to help restore the balance of fish populations and expanding public education to discourage people from releasing pet fish into public waters.
He said the ministry was also reviewing ways to tighten existing regulations, including the possibility of banning certain fish species identified as threats to local ecosystems.
Agrobank released 1,400 native fish fry into the lake to support the conservation of local species, comprising 1,100 baung and 300 lampam sungai.
Records from the Malaysian Department of Fisheries showed that 146 of the 154 fish recorded in Tasik Ampang Hilir were alien species, while only eight were native species.
Agrobank chief development officer Ahmad Arif Abu Bakar said efforts to restore the balance between native and alien fish populations needed to be supported by greater public awareness and education on the importance of protecting Malaysia’s biodiversity.
“The public needs to understand their responsibility in maintaining the ecosystem, including not releasing pet fish into rivers or lakes when the fish grow larger,” he said.
The programme brought together about 250 participants from seven agencies and organisations, with activities including catching alien fish using seine nets, cast nets, fishing lines and fish traps. — Bernama