1.85 million fish fry released into country's waters today

Agriculture and Food Industries Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee who took part in the programme at Putrajaya Lake in Precinct 2, here, said this was among the efforts taken in increasing the food stock and ensuring a sustainable supply of freshwater fish.

The 100,000 fish fry released into the lake here today are of the kelah, temoleh, siakap and lampam species.

Based on the records of the Department of Fisheries (DOF), about 44.7 million fish fry worth over RM50 million had been released into the waters of Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak from 2016 to 2021.

Ronald said the fish fry release such as at Putrajaya Lake was also for environmental sustainability and conservation of resources and the freshwater fish biodiversity.

RONALD-FISH 2 (LAST) PUTRAJAYA

In conjunction with the programme, popular singer Datuk Jamal Abdillah who has an arowana fish farm in Perak, was appointed as the Fishery Resource Conservation Icon, whereby he will be involved in the promotional activities, especially in the ornamental fish and downstream product sectors.

Meanwhile, DOF's senior director of Marine Parks and Resource Management, Bohari Leng reminded members of the public owning non-native fish for rearing not to release these fish into the country's waters as the aggressive ones could prey on the local fish.

"The non-native fish could become dominant in the local fishery ecosystem as they could grow and breed fast and be a threat to the local fish. It's no problem if these non-native fish are just kept or reared in the ponds," he said and cited the peacock bass, redtail catfish and African catfish as among the non-native fish.