SHAH ALAM, Feb 9 — The Selangor government is continuing its Pleco fish capture programme from February 7 to October 25, aiming to control the breeding of this invasive species and protect the river ecosystem.
The Selangor Fisheries Department announced on Facebook that the programme will take place along Sungai Klang Sungai Gombak, as part of the state’s Denai Sungai Kebangsaan initiative.
Participants will receive RM1 for every kilogram of Pleco fish caught.
“Join us in controlling the number of Pleco fish that threaten local fish species. It’s an opportunity to protect the environment while earning extra income!” the post said.
All participants must be Malaysian citizens and bring their own fishing gear.
The Selangor government also reminded the public not to release Pleco fish into rivers or drains, as this would further threaten the ecology of the state.
The programme is a collaboration among multiple agencies, including the Malaysian Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Universiti Selangor (UNISEL), and several strategic partners involved in river and environmental management.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari stated in August 2024 that the cash reward programme aims to reduce the Pleco population, which is also a factor contributing to riverbank and embankment collapses.
According to Muhammad Haz, founder of the Invasive Fish Catching Community, since the programme began in January 2022, Selangor has recorded a national record of 22 tons of invasive fish caught.
For more information, the public may contact Haz at 011-15002708 or Captain Anri at 012-9112194.
