By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
HULU LANGAT, Sept 14 — Approximately 344 kg of suckermouth catfish (ikan bandaraya) were caught via a programme at Denai Sungai Kebangsaan in Sungai Langat today.
Pertubuhan Komuniti Pemburu Ikan Bandaraya deputy secretary Muhammad Izwan Ismail said the programme, which offers a RM1 incentive for every kg of the fish caught, was attended by 21 participants.
“The river currents were quite strong and high today due to yesterday’s rain. So, this affected the catch as the fish tend to hide in the mud when the current is strong,” he said at the site.
Izwan also invited the public to continue supporting the programme, which runs every weekend until September 29, to help preserve the river and the local species ecosystem.
“We expect September 28 to be even more lively as there will be a World Water Day celebration here, highlighted by a company’s corporate social responsibility programme.
“Various activities will be held, like releasing 2,000 tinfoil barb (ikan lampam sungai) fry, waste collection around Sungai Langat’s river trail, colouring activities, and the sale of freshwater fish by local farmers,” he said.
Starting this month, the state government allocated RM50,000 to organise the programme, with a target of 50 tonnes of fish caught by the end of September.
The RM1 incentive per kg of suckermouth catfish fish caught at Denai Sungai Kebangsaan is offered throughout the month on the dates of 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29, from 8am to 1pm.
On Tuesday (September 10), state executive councillor for agriculture and infrastructure Izham Hashim said a total of 1.72 tonnes of suckermouth catfish fish were caught on September 1, September 7, and September 8.
He added that all the catches were sent to a special processing centre to be disposed of and converted into animal feed and organic fertiliser using Bio-Nano Yanisys Technology.
