KUANTAN: The Pahang Fisheries Department has released more than five million fingerlings (juvenile fish) into rivers since 2010 to increase the population of freshwater fish.
Its director, Datuk Adnan Hussain, said 5,147,475 fingerlings had been released to address the decrease in fishery resources in the state’s rivers.
“The department began noticing a decrease in fishery resources in main rivers based on an inventory research conducted in 2006, as well as feedback from freshwater fishermen, who say there are less fish in the rivers,” he said in an interview recently.
He said the department then conducted a series of research to identify the problem before deciding to implement the “rear and release” programme to increase the freshwater fish population.
“During the first year of the programme (in 2010), 607,600 fingerlings, aged between 2 and 3 months, were released into the main rivers in the state.”
The rivers included Sungai Pahang, Sungai Semantan, Sungai Jelai, Sungai Tembeling, Sungai Lembing and Sungai Rompin.
Adnan said the fingerlings were also released into small rivers, such as Sungai Penor, Sungai Belat and Sungai Kerau; two lakes, Tasik Chini and Tasik Bera; and the Chereh Dam.
“The species released include lampam, sebarau, udang galah, temelian, baung, terbol, ketutu and kelah.”
He said during the second year of the programme, 204,800 fingerlings were released, followed by 767,240 in 2012, 907,630 (2013), 465,400 (2014) and 987,800 (last year).
He said the fish fry came from the department’s breeding facilities at the Perlok Aquaculture Extension Centre in Jerantut and Bukit Tinggi Aquaculture Extension Centre in Bentong.
He said although the fishery resource in the state was satisfactory, the programme would continue.
“The department will continue with the programme. This year alone, 1,207,005 fingerlings have been released from January to October.
“Jerantut recorded the highest number with 708,000 fingerlings, followed by Temerloh with 200,000,” he said, adding that the department had received requests from local leaders and village heads for the programme to be carried out in their areas.
He said the department spent between RM150,000 and RM200,000 annually for the programme, adding that the feedback from fishermen was positive.
“They are thankful for the department’s effort. Fishermen say six months after the release, they will get a lot of fish.”
In May, during state Rural Development, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Committee chairman Datuk Shafik Fauzan Sharif’s visit to the Perlok Aquaculture Extension Centre, he said the state government would prioritise the breeding of freshwater fish, especially those under threat of extinction, such as kerai, patin muncung and jelawat.