Perak: The Perak Fisheries Department has announced an initiative to purchase temoleh fish weighing more than 10 kilogrammes from fishermen along Sungai Perak. These fish will be utilized as breeding stock in an effort to increase the population of the species.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Zolkafly Harun highlighted that this measure comes after discussions with the State Fisheries Department director. The discussions were prompted by observations of a recent decline in the temoleh population in Sungai Perak. Zolkafly emphasized the importance of this responsibility, stating that the department plans to buy these fish from fishermen at market prices.

Data from the Perak Fisheries Department, as reported by BERNAMA, indicates a significant decline in temoleh landings over the past five years. Only 116.40 kg were recorded as of August this year, compared to over 3,000 kg in 2023. Zolkafly attributed the decline to factors such as overfishing and the species' annual spawning migration. He explained that temoleh typically migrate upstream in early February to spawn in shallower areas, making them more susceptible to being caught.

Additionally, the state government is considering the establishment of a commercial temoleh breeding centre. The centre's implementation will depend on the availability of quality broodstock sourced from fishermen. In a related effort, more than 500,000 fry of various high-value species have been released into the upper Perak River, including Lake Temenggor.

Zolkafly noted that the area is one of the state's main release sites due to its high-quality natural habitat and abundant food sources, which contribute to higher survival rates for the fry.