PETALING JAYA (ANN/THE STAR) – Organisers of a fishing competition in Tasik Biru, Selangor, Malaysia who released the invasive Chao Phraya catfish, have committed to corrective measures, according to the Selangor Fisheries Department.
The department, alerted by a social media post, met with the organisers, who acknowledged their mistake and promised to take steps to fix it. The invasive nature of the fish poses a threat to local ecosystems, prompting immediate action.
These steps include reminding participants not to release their catch in water bodies and setting nets at the lake’s exit points to prevent invasive fish from entering general waterways.
Additionally, the organisers will collaborate with the department and other agencies to remove the invasive species from the lake.
In the same statement, Selangor Fisheries Department director Noraisyah Abu Bakar reminded all quarters not to release any invasive fish species in lakes or rivers.
“Those intending to release any fish should check with the state or district fisheries offices.
“We will also work closely with other agencies including the local authorities to prevent any issues from repeating,” she said.
In a separate statement, the organisers apologised for their actions and pledged to cooperate with the Selangor Fisheries Department.
“We apologise for any inconvenience following this and will ensure this does not happen again,” they said.
