View: Don’t bring in Mekong giant catfish

Sunday October 4, 2009

SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) is outraged by the proposal of the Terengganu Mentri Besar to bring the Mekong giant catfish to Tasik Kenyir.

There is one thing that is of greater value than our own recreation and that is maintaining the integrity of the lake's ecosystem and the balance of the native species which cannot be duplicated or replaced. To alter these systems for our pleasure is not only thoughtless and selfish, it will also be disastrous.

In the promotion of sport fishing, the Terengganu state government has opted to stock Tasik Kenyir with fish species that are both attractive and exciting to fishers. The species that has got environmentalists and several quarters worried is none other than the Mekong giant catfish.

But the Mentri Besar has remained nonchalant to the voices of the NGOs. Refuting the argument of environmentalists that waterways should contain only native species, he pointed out that the government had done its homework to bring the giant catfish as an attraction for fishing competitions. He further added that it is not an invasive species.

Recreational impacts and economic costs associated with invasive species can be substantial if they do become a problem. Control measures are often very expensive and difficult to implement.

While other countries are spending millions of dollars to get rid of invasive species, the state has instead introduced alien species into our environment.

A non-native animal may survive better than a native, not only because it has no natural enemies in the new environment but also because it grows more quickly or in less favourable conditions than natives.

Furthermore, as the giant catfish is listed as a critically endangered species, the World Conservation Union has called for its protection in its natural habitats and for it not to be brought in for the pleasure of fishing enthusiasts.

S. M. MOHD IDRIS,

President, Sahabat Alam, Malaysia,

Penang.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Opinion 4 October 2009