Harsh effects of overfishing: Malaysian statement

Nik Naizi Husin, The Star 3 Nov 09;

KUANTAN: A total of 25 species of fish, including seven species of knifetooth sawfish, have been listed as endangered marine life by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Also on the list are 18 species of freshwater fish, including arowana, temoleh and kelah.

IUCN is the world’s largest global environmental network. The Switzerland-based union has more than 1,000 government and non-governmental organisations as members, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries.

Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Junaidi Che Ayub said the threat of extinction was due to overfishing and pressure from other human activities.

He said the turtles, for example, were being exploited by people and consequently, its numbers had dwindled drastically in the last few decades.

He said this in his speech at Pahang Fisheries Department’s awareness programme recently to highlight endangered species.

“The turtles have economic value and have been exploited in various ways. Its eggs are sold, its meat is treated as exotic food and its shells are used for decoration.”

Junaidi reiterated that efforts to conserve and protect endangered species would fail without all parties involved — fishermen, local communities, NGOs and the public — working together.

“There should be a smart partnership between the Fisheries Department and other parties concerned to protect the surviving animals,” he added.

Meanwhile, state Fisheries Department director Mohamad Mat Saman said his department was focused on nine high-impact aquaculture projects under the 2010 Budget.

He said they included lobster and freshwater fish-breeding in Pekan and Rompin districts.

“The department had been allocated RM99mil so far,” he added.