1) Over Fishing

The commercial fishing situation is getting worse as the eyes of the nets used have reduced from 4 inches to 1.5 inches. There have of been too many instances of encroachment trawlers into their non-fishing zones and there is simply not enough enforcement to curb them.

Major Ismail urged every angler to bring along a camera during their fishing trip for the additional purpose of photographing any illegal fishing activities. These photos should be sent to the mass media and authorities concerned.

If these evidences keep on pouring on to the desk of the mass media and the authorities, the Major was confident that some forms of action will be taken sooner or later.

He said he had done it while producing 'Pancing Pancing' series, and actions were taken almost immediately by the authorities.

2) Fishing During Breeding Period

Killing a fish during its spawning (breeding) period is most destructive to the propagation of the species. At the moment, there is a lack of research on the spawning period of our local species and this could pose a danger to the survival of many species. The marked reduction of Terubuk from the Kedah water, a sea fish which return to the Kedah river for spawning, and was prevented from doing so by the establishment of the MADA scheme, is a case in point.

He also noted that the tenggiri which was caught in Philippines do not cary roes, but those caught in Malaysian waters from November to May have roes in them. Therefore, he asked whether it is possible that the tenggiri, a migratory species, is coming to Malaysia to spawn?

3) Aquarium Fish Industry

There is a lack of regulations and control over the aquarium trade which brings all kinds of foreign species into the country. Quite often, these fishes are discarded into our ponds and rivers by the owners for one reason or another. These foreign species will, to different degrees, affect the local population.

A case in point is the red crayfish, a popular aquarium ornamental. Major Ismail reported that this Australian crayfish is now fast establishing itself in the Johor rivers, and is destroying the home of our local river prawns. The orange Cichlid, another aquarium fish which is propagating in many places, warrants our close scrutiny.

Major Ismail also cited at length the danger of Peacock Bass which is proliferating in many local waters. Having studied this fish originated from South America for quite a long time, he came to the conclusion that its highly aggressive nature, fast reproduction rate and protective breeding behaviour which are contributing to its proliferation, would pose a threat to many of our local species, which have yet to be properly researched.

'I have yet to see a fish that eat tadpole, Peacock Bass is the only exception,' he warned.

4) Non-indigenous Species

Business activitieswhich introduce foreign species into the country might bring along adverse impact. Tilapia cultivation and its now uncontrollable occurence is an example.

Other species of concern are: Plecotomas (the bandaraya fish), Cichlid and Leekoh (which burrow deep into soil and cause soil erosion and sedimentation).

The introduction of foreign species into our commercial fishing ponds also warrants our attention, especially the Pompano (bawal emas) which is dubbed as the Clam buster in Florida. Its feeding habit requires it to churn the mud for food. The same characteristics are found in Senangin Taiwan (the Red Drum).

These species are bred in inshore commercial farms, and some of them have escaped into our open water. Nobody knows what is going to happen next.

5) Water Pollution

These include contamination of stream, lakes, underwater, bays, or oceans by substances harmful to living things.

Types of pollutant:

• Petroleum products - they are poisonous if injected by animals, besides having the possibility of being contaminated with other harmful substances.
• Oils and chemicals - Derived from oil used for fuel, lubrication, plastic manufacturing, and many other purposes. These products get into water mainly by ways of accidental spills from ships, tankers trucks, pipelines, and leaky underground storage tanks.
• Pesticides and herbicides - Chemicals used to kill unwanted animals and plants, for instance on farms or in sub-urban yards may be collected by rainwater runoff and carried into streams.

  Some of this chemicals are biodegradable and quickly decay into harmless and less harmful forms, while others are non-biodegradable and remain dangerous for a long time.

  When the chemical are consumed by plants, they will pass up the food chain. With each step up the food chain, the concentration of the pollutant increases.

• Heavy metal - These include copper, lead, mercury and selenium which get into water from many sources, including industries, automobile exhaust, mines and even natural soil.
• Thermal pollution - The water is used as coolant in factories and power plant and it is returned to the source warmer than at the intake point. This temperature change would attract other species which will replace the local residents. This thermal change will also affect the food and oxygen supply.
• Hazardous wastes
- Chemical wastes that are either toxic, reactive, corrosive or ignitable. If improperly treated and stored, they can pollute our water.
• Excess organic matter
- This organic matter used to promote plant growth on farms. When the plant and algae die and settle underwater, the microorganisms decompose them, and the microorganisms consume a lot of oxygen during the decomposition process, thus affecting the aquatic lives.
• Sedimentation
- Soil particles carried to a stream bed, lake or ocean can also be a pollutant if it is present in large enough amount. Sedimentation can also cover stream bed gravel in which many fish, such as kelah and sebarau, lay their eggs. This is most prominent in the case of logging and development activities.

There are many species, especially those in the upstream, which needs plenty of oxygen to survive and propagate. The fertilised eggs of the fishes would required oxygen to grow, The presence of sediments will cover them with mud or silt, thereby depriving them the oxygen - the essence of life. (see diagram)

Summary

In conclusion, Major Ismail has this to tell the seminar participants and every angler: If you love to fish, let us take care of our envirinment and our indigenous fish for the sake of our children.

"Hilang bini boleh cari lain, but if you lose a species, it's gone forever," he quipped.