Sport fishing in Malaysia: still some way to go

Reflecting on 2008
Anthony Geoffrey, The Star 17 Jan 09;

Fishing as a sport in Malaysia still has some way to go, especially in terms of protecting fish species and numbers. When I look back on fishing in 2008, I am struck by both trepidation and awe as to what is happening in Malaysia and the region.

The trepidation stems primarily from concerns over our freshwater fisheries.

Tasik Chini was in the news again recently with the Pahang state government seeking Federal help to rehabilitate the lake and its surrounding area, and spruce up the accommodation and facilities.

Our other major freshwater angling destinations fare little better.

In Temenggor, Chenderoh (Perak) and Kenyir (Terengganu), fish stocks have declined so much that anglers feel lucky if they get a couple of fish a day — and then they tend to be juveniles. The cause of this situation is uncontrolled netting of the larger fish and the removal of millions of fry for the aquarium trade.

Species such as kelah (Red Mahseer), toman (giant snakehead), sebarau (Hampala barb), temoleh (Jullien Barb), belida (giant featherback) and kelisa (Malaysian bonytongue), also known as the arowana, are caught in the tens of thousands to feed the aquarium trade. This is a double-edged sword.

Fish large enough to breed are caught in nets and supplied to restaurants and aquariums, while fish that are not large enough to breed are caught before they have a chance to breed. Rules and regulations need to be introduced in each and every state — and enforced properly.

I agree that the Orang Asli should be allowed to catch their food but not be allowed to trade in live fish. The great majority of freshwater anglers release at least 95% of their catch and, therefore, do not have a negative impact on fish stocks.

Our rivers, according to my fishing buddies, are not faring much better. The introduction of the Tagal system in Sabah and Sarawak has helped save rivers, and the two Kelah sanctuaries in the country are also helping somewhat.

But going into a river and feeding Kelah with pellets is not the answer. A proper close season and proper enforcement are what’s required. In the lakes especially, there must be limited points from which boats can be launched.

Check every boat on return and fine people who exceed the catch limit. The message will soon get out if consistent enforcement and regular patrols are maintained.

The awe I feel is mainly because of the consistency of the fishing at Kuala Rompin, Pahang especially the number of sailfish and species in the Spratlys. And this is in spite of commercial fishing. This does not mean, however, that we should rest on our laurels.

The ikan bilis (anchovy) trawlers kill thousands of sailfish every year in the Kuala Rompin waters, and beam trawlers, even though illegal, are still common. Also common are trawlers fishing within restricted areas.

Again, there is a need for enforcement. I remember many years ago how I informed a group from Scandinavia that angling was not allowed within two nautical miles of marine parks, only for us to find nets spread across the narrow straits between Pulau Aur and Pulau Dayang — and there was a marine police boat parked close by, apparently oblivious of it all.

What does that convey to our overseas visitors?

We have mentioned many times to the relevant authorities, directly and through PeMM (Malaysian Angling Association), of the need to declare certain areas for recreational fishing only and others for commercial fishing. This needs to be done in consultation and with the likes of PeMM and the angling boat operators, and not just declared willy nilly.

Anglers spend big money, which goes directly to the people where recreational fishing exists — not to multinational beach resorts or city hotels. At least RM5mil a year goes into the Kuala Rompin economy from angling alone.

Our recreational fisheries, both freshwater and marine, must be protected and conserved. Enforcement must be maintained each and every day.

Angling is allowed in most national and marine parks in the world. However, commercial fishing is not. Vision 2020 is not just about industrialisation and development — nurturing what we have must also be part and parcel of what Vision 2020 is about.

Recreation and conservation must go hand in hand.

Tasik Chini

The problem with Lake Chini has been highlighted many times over the past decade. The dilapidated state of the accommodation, for example, has been the subject of articles and letters to the press on numerous occasions.

Why has nothing been done?

This was a place local tourists, as well as foreigners in the hundreds from cruise ships docking in Kuantan, used to visit on a regular basis. It provided revenue to the local populace through the hire of boats, the purchase of handicraft and food and drinks.

It is time to bring Chini back to its original state. By all means, clean it up, get rid of the dam, rebuild the accommodation and restaurant facilities and franchise them to someone who can run them properly. Above all, maintain the place properly.

Have staff conduct checks on a regular basis.

Chini was once a fantastic fishery as well as a top tourist destination. As Malaysia’s second largest natural body of water, the lake and its surroundings should be declared a state park.

Fishing in the lake should be strictly on a catch-and-release basis, with exception made only for the Orang Asli of the Jakun group (for their subsistence and not for trade in live fish).

All anglers should board a boat at only one place; all must be checked on returning. A daily or weekly fishing permit scheme must be introduced. Charges should be reasonable, say RM30 per angler per day.

The Pahang authorities have done a reasonably good job with Fraser’s Hill, why not Tasik Chini?

Lakes of Malaysia
The Star 17 Jan 09;

The National Lakes Information Database of Malaysia lists 90 lakes in Malaysia, both natural and man-made, with the objective of providing relevant information to support the sustainable management of all lakes in Malaysia.

This is a noble cause indeed.

Developed by the National Hydraulics Research Institute of Malaysia (Nahrim), the database (http://lakes.mcthosting.net) welcomes all those who have information on the country’s lakes to register as data contributors.

The database is both interesting and informative, encompassing also the river systems that feed the lakes. It is reasonably up-to-date (last edited June 2008), and details the uses of a lake (i.e. hydropower, flood mitigation, irrigation, etc). Also included is information on water quality, geographical regions and lake status.

You may, however, get a little confused as to the type of fish species included in the various classification by Trophic State Index. Seeing species like salmonoids, walleye and bass mentioned does make one wonder — that is, until you read what the indices really mean.

However, there are many lakes that are not included. One of the problems may be the definition of a lake. Neither this website nor the Oxford or Chambers dictionaries give a clear definition of what constitutes a “lake”.

A lake is defined as a substantial body of water and can be natural or man-made. A pond is referred to as a small body of water, usually man-made. But what exactly constitutes small and what qualifies as substantial is not clear-cut.

We have Kundang Lakes Golf Club, which has numerous bodies of water, with Tow Foo Pond at the edge of the golf course being the largest body of water. Is it large enough to be considered a lake? Close by is Tasik Biru, which is often referred to as a mining pond but considered by some to be a lake.

For the sake of argument, let’s say a lake is a body of water covering more than an area of 0.5ha. That would leave hundreds, if not thousands, of lakes in Malaysia, that have yet to be included in the database. How many are there in the Kinta Valley alone?

I would ask all anglers to check out this database and add to it where you can. With so many bodies of water, this country should be a freshwater angling paradise. A dozen or so medium-sized lakes, managed properly, could attract anglers from all over the world.

The redeeming feature of my freshwater fishing last year — apart from our own Tow Foo Pond, that is — was in Krabi, southern Thailand. Well-managed, practising catch-and-release, superbly maintained, it is the epitome of what freshwater angling is about.

If only something like that could be developed in an existing body of water in Malaysia — in the Kinta Valley, say, or somewhere, anywhere.