Invasive species seized in raids on KL ornamental fish shops

 The fish seized include arapaima, Midas cichlids, peacock bass and flowerhorn.

Federal territories fisheries director Suhanah Kassiron said prohibited species could damage the ecosystem if released into public waters. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The fisheries department and police raided six ornamental fish premises in Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, for operating without permits and selling prohibited fish species.

Federal territories fisheries director Suhanah Kassiron said an integrated operation from 10am to 2pm today, joined by the wildlife and national parks department (Perhilitan) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall, resulted in the seizure of 675 prohibited fish worth RM35,674.

She said the fish included invasive species such as arapaima, sturgeon, Midas cichlids, peacock bass, Cambaridae crayfish, Amazon redtail catfish, pacu and flowerhorn.

“These prohibited species can damage the ecosystem if released into public waters. I advise the public not to own or release these fish into public waters,” Bernama reported her as saying after the operation.

Suhanah said all six premises were found to have committed offences under the Fisheries (Inland Fisheries Aquaculture) Rules for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan 2017.

She said owners of premises that fail to comply with the regulations can be fined up to RM1,000, imprisoned for up to a year or both for each offence.

National Wildlife Rescue Centre assistant director Celescoriano Razond said 304 turtles and tortoises of various species, worth about RM300,000, were also seized in the operation.

He said the animals included high-value species such as the pig-nosed turtle and albino tortoise, with investigations underway under Section 117 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

“Pig-nosed turtles sell for around RM9,000 to RM10,000 each, while albino tortoises go for about RM10,000 each,” he said, adding that the seized animals were taken to the Selangor Fisheries Biosecurity Centre for further action. - FMT