Sarawak acts against alien fish
State Deputy Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said their presence threatened local species such as empurau and tengadak (lampam sungai).
Foreign fish species also disrupted the environmental balance and impacted livelihoods of local communities who rely on inland fishery resources, he said.
'Some of these alien fishes are farmed commercially.
'I hope farmers will not arbitrarily release these fishes into our rivers or lakes,' he said in his reply to a question from Datuk Mohd Chee Kadir (GPS-Kabong) during the Sarawak State Assembly sitting in Petra Jaya, Kuching.
Bernama reported Dr Abdul Rahman saying that the ministry, in collaboration with various agencies, had implemented a programme to hunt invasive foreign fish species in Sungai Sarawak.
This effort, he said, was aimed at reducing their threat, raising public awareness and conducting an inventory of inland fishery resources.
To a supplementary question from Mohd Chee, Dr Abdul Rahman said various initiatives were also being undertaken to replenish local fish stock.
'Sarawak Agriculture Department, under my ministry, is actively carrying out a programme to release native fish fry such as empurau, tengadak, lampam jawa as well as udang galah into rivers across Sarawak.
'This is part of efforts to restore the ecosystem and improve native fish populations.
'In Kabong alone, in September 2022, a total of 5,000 lampam fry were released into Tanjung Kembang, while in November 2024, 6,000 lampam fry were released at Rumah Jambu Rantau Sukat Orban,' he said.
Apart from inland waters, efforts are also being intensified to strengthen marine fisheries resources, with a total of 201,972 artificial reef units anchored across 77 marine areas in Sarawak as of last year.
'In Kabong waters alone, 17 artificial reef units were anchored in July 2024 and another 17 units are scheduled to be deployed this August.
'This project is supported by an allocation of RM20mil from the Federal Government and RM30mil from Sarawak government,' Dr Abdul Rahman added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Prince Harry Visits Angola to Support Landmine Clearance
LUANDA: Britain's Prince Harry visited Angola on Wednesday to back landmine clearance efforts, retracing the steps of his late mother, the charity leading the project said. The southern African nation hosts the continent's largest minefield, a legacy of the 27-year civil war that began after independence from Portugal in 1975. The Duke of Sussex visited a remote village in the southeast to 'deliver life-saving messages to children,' the Halo Trust mine-clearing organisation said. 'The Duke repeated simple phrases in Portuguese, including 'stop, go back and tell your elders' to prevent children from detonating lethal devices,' the British charity said in a statement. Harry's mother, Princess Diana visited Angola in 1997, walking across a cleared minefield near the central city of Huambo during a lull in the civil war. The iconic trip came just months before her death in a Paris car crash. Harry was 12 at the time. In a scene echoing his mother's visit, Harry on Wednesday donned a protective visor and bulletproof vest to walk through demined shrubland, before taking part in a bomb detonation exercise. 'Children should never have to live in fear of playing outside or walking to school. Here in Angola, over three decades later, the remnants of war still threaten lives every day,' he said. At least 60,000 people have been killed or wounded by landmines in Angola since 2008, according to the Halo Trust, which has cleared more than 100,000 bombs in the country. Most casualties occurred in 2002 and 2003, when Angolans returned to their homes after peace was declared. Diana was famously photographed meeting some of the victims during her visit. Since launching operations in Angola in 1994, the Halo Trust has cleared landmines from an area nearly the size of 7,000 football pitches. Harry's visit follows another in September 2019 when he retraced his mother's steps in Huambo. The prince, 40, met Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Tuesday to discuss demining efforts - AFP
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Prince Harry returns to Angola to back landmine clearance
LUANDA: Britain's Prince Harry visited Angola on Wednesday to back landmine clearance efforts, retracing the steps of his late mother, the charity leading the project said. The southern African nation hosts the continent's largest minefield, a legacy of the 27-year civil war that began after independence from Portugal in 1975. The Duke of Sussex visited a remote village in the southeast to 'deliver life-saving messages to children,' the Halo Trust mine-clearing organisation said. 'The Duke repeated simple phrases in Portuguese, including 'stop, go back and tell your elders' to prevent children from detonating lethal devices,' the British charity said in a statement. Harry's mother, Princess Diana visited Angola in 1997, walking across a cleared minefield near the central city of Huambo during a lull in the civil war. The iconic trip came just months before her death in a Paris car crash. Harry was 12 at the time. In a scene echoing his mother's visit, Harry on Wednesday donned a protective visor and bulletproof vest to walk through demined shrubland, before taking part in a bomb detonation exercise. 'Children should never have to live in fear of playing outside or walking to school. Here in Angola, over three decades later, the remnants of war still threaten lives every day,' he said. At least 60,000 people have been killed or wounded by landmines in Angola since 2008, according to the Halo Trust, which has cleared more than 100,000 bombs in the country. Most casualties occurred in 2002 and 2003, when Angolans returned to their homes after peace was declared. Diana was famously photographed meeting some of the victims during her visit. Since launching operations in Angola in 1994, the Halo Trust has cleared landmines from an area nearly the size of 7,000 football pitches. Harry's visit follows another in September 2019 when he retraced his mother's steps in Huambo. The prince, 40, met Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Tuesday to discuss demining efforts - AFP
Malaysian Reserve
6 days ago
- Malaysian Reserve
New provincial plaque commemorates the Guelph British Methodist Episcopal Church
GUELPH, ON, July 15, 2025 /CNW/ – The Ontario Heritage Trust, alongside the Guelph Black Heritage Society, has unveiled a new provincial plaque to the Guelph British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church. This new provincial plaque tells the story of this building and how it fulfilled the spiritual and social needs of its congregation and Guelph's historical Black community. It was a meeting place, a safe haven and a symbol of freedom. People of African descent have resided in Guelph and Wellington County since the area was settled in the late 1820s. Black families in Upper Canada established homesteads, worked in a range of occupations and developed institutions of community life. In Guelph, the first Black congregation was formed in the 1850s. By the time of Confederation, the Black community had grown such that church services, once held in the private homes of worshippers, required a new public space. A wooden chapel was built in 1870, and the cornerstone of this limestone structure was laid in 1880. The BME Church became the centre of Guelph's Black community. Along with religious services, the church hosted programs and events that provided support and social opportunities that helped to teach life skills and literacy. Its story represents the resilience, drive and vision of Guelph's Black community and encompasses the long history of Black settlement in Guelph, in Wellington County and in Ontario. 'This new provincial plaque to the British Methodist Episcopal Church, a cherished cultural landmark, is a tribute to the voices that history tried to silence. By preserving and celebrating our shared heritage, we ensure that future generations understand the struggles and triumphs that shaped our community.' — Denise Francis, Guelph Black Heritage Society 'The Guelph British Methodist Episcopal Church stands as a powerful symbol of perseverance, faith and community. This new provincial plaque pays tribute to those who built a place of refuge, belonging and hope in the face of adversity,' said Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. 'As we commemorate this historic site, we commend the Ontario Heritage Trust for its ongoing efforts to preserve our shared heritage and recognize the vital contributions of Ontario's Black communities.' 'The Guelph British Methodist Episcopal Church stands as a testament to the enduring strength of Ontario's Black communities. For generations, it was more than a place of worship — it was a cornerstone of civic and spiritual life. The Ontario Heritage Trust is honoured to commemorate its legacy with a provincial plaque.' — John Ecker, Chair, Ontario Heritage Trust The plaque text reads as follows: GUELPH BRITISH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH A testament to the resilience of the Black community, the Guelph British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church was established in the 1850s by freedom seekers and free Blacks. Many had resided in Wellington County since the 1820s, moving from the Queen's Bush area to the Essex–Nottingham neighbourhood of Guelph's welcoming English Methodist community. The growing congregation raised funds to purchase land in 1869 and built a wooden chapel here in 1870. In 1880, they laid the cornerstone and began construction of this limestone chapel. By 1881, Guelph's Black population numbered 107; the majority resided near the church. Throughout its history, this church played a key role as a meeting place for the Black community, fulfilling the spiritual and social needs of the congregation, providing a safe haven and representing a symbol of freedom. Over the years, ministers included Junius Roberts, Samuel R. Drake, Solomon Lucas and Mabel 'Addie' Aylestock — the first female BME minister. In 1975, the church closed due to declining attendance yet reopened from 1994-2009. In 2012, the Guelph Black Heritage Society purchased the church, which continues to service the broader community, while honouring the church's heritage. It is an important symbol of the history of the Black Methodist tradition and long history of Black settlement in Ontario. The plaque is now permanently installed in front of the church, today known as Heritage Hall, and is available for public viewing. Learn moreFind out more about the Ontario Heritage Trust and the Provincial Plaque Program. Stay connected Follow the Ontario Heritage Trust on Facebook, X, Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Subscribe to the Heritage Matters … more! e-newsletter. #ONheritage About the Ontario Heritage TrustThe Trust is committed to preserving our cultural and natural heritage and ensuring its continued relevance for future generations. We are working towards an Ontario where heritage is not only preserved and valued, but is celebrated, enjoyed and used as a source of inspiration. The Trust will be a beacon in an Ontario where heritage is preserved, protected and promoted in ways that are sources of pride for all Ontarians.
