(MY) fishing activities out of bounds

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Move to protect kelah - New Straits TImes - 21. Dec 2005

 

KUALA TERENGGANU, Wed

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A second river flowing into Tasik Kenyir is now out of bounds to all

fishing activities.

This is to protect the kelah (Malayan mahseer), sought after for the

dinner table and the ornamental fish trade.

 

The Sungai Petang was declared a kelah sanctuary last month, sharing

the protected status the Sungai Cacing, which also flows into the

lake, has had since 1986.

 

The river is now under the watchful eye of the Fisheries Department,

whose officers have so far had to turn away three groups of anglers

unaware of the new ruling.

 

Sungai Petang has a 10km shallow stretch which is a spawning ground

for kelah and lampam. Being easily accessible by boat, the stretch was

popular with both recreational anglers and commercial fishermen.

 

" The State government is considering similar protection for three

other rivers — Sungai Petuang, Sungai Tembat and Sungai Terengganu

Mati.

 

" We are protecting a heritage, " Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh

told the New Straits Times. Some spawning grounds need to be protected

and anglers can fish elsewhere in the lake. "

 

Efforts are also being made to reduce the number of commercial

freshwater fishermen.

 

" At the moment, we are not issuing new permits for commercial fishing

in the lake, " Idris said.