(MY) poached fish

[Guest guest]

Tuesday September 5, 2006-The Star

 

Poachers fly in for the kelah

 

*KUALA TERENGGANU*: Poachers who see a boon in the exquisite ornamental *

kelah* fish found only in highland waters like in Kenyir Dam are apparently

going airborne in their bid to illegally harvest the prized catch.

 

These poachers, who are mostly in the aquarium business, have resorted to

using helicopters since the state government recently declared the area near

Sungai Petang a *kelah* sanctuary to protect the species from extinction.

 

Buoys have been placed on the waters encircling the sanctuary, with the

Central Terengganu Development Board enforcement unit maintaining security.

The sanctuary is protected round the clock by 35 rangers.

 

The ban on fishing at the sanctuary also prohibits traditional fishermen

from encroaching into the area.

 

The *kelah*, commonly known as Malaysian Mahseer, can grow up to 7kg and

50cm in length, and is a good table fish.

 

It can cost up to RM1,500 if full grown while the fry is sold for between

RM15 and RM250 depending on size. In some instances, the *kelah* is sold for

up to RM20,000 to foreigners.

 

A marine biologist familiar with Kenyir's aquatic fauna told *The Star* that

the lake was considered an anglers' paradise, with freshwater fish like *kelah

*and *kelisa*, which is a type of green arowana.

 

" Big-time aquarium owners are badly hit by the state government's ban on

fishing in the area and are resorting to extreme alternatives to

indiscriminately harvest the catch, " he added.

 

State Agriculture and Regional Development Committee chairman Datuk Mohd

Jidin Shafee, when asked about the poaching, said it was impossible because

of the stringent enforcement.

 

" Such airborne poaching could probably be along the border, but we will

probe, " he said.

 

Mohd Jidin said he would propose to the state exco to list the *kelah* as an

endangered species under Schedule One of Convention on International Trade

in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

 

" This will prevent poachers from selling the fish locally or abroad.''