CAP warns of threat from invasive species in waterways

GEORGE TOWN: A consumer watchdog has warned the release of non-native species into local waterways threatens biodiversity, ecosystems and the livelihoods of fishing communities.

Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) president Mohideen Abdul Kader said urgent action was needed to stop the introduction of foreign fish, plants, snails and mussels into Malaysia's rivers, lakes, dams and coastal waters.

"These invasive species outcompete native life, disrupt delicate ecosystems, and jeopardise the livelihoods of riverine and fishing communities," he said in a statement.

The Fisheries Department has removed more than 4.4 tonnes of non-native fish from Malaysian waters since 2022 through 17 operations targeting invasive species.

Its director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said the operations targeted aggressive, fast-breeding foreign species that threaten local biodiversity by competing for food and habitat.

Mohideen also highlighted the spread of water hyacinth, known locally as keladi bunting or bunga kiambang.

Native to South America's Amazon Basin, the fast-growing plant can choke waterways and degrade water quality when released into the environment.

The invasive Chinese pond mussel (Sinanodonta woodiana) has colonised at least 10 river basins in Peninsular Malaysia and six across Sabah and Sarawak, according to the Handbook and National Red-List of the Freshwater Mussels of Malaysia.

Its spread has been linked to intentional introductions for food and trade, as well as live freshwater fish shipments inadvertently carrying its parasitic larvae.

In rural areas, giant African land snails and golden apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata) damage paddy fields after escaping from food and aquarium setups.

Mohideen said non-native farmed fish routinely escaped into natural habitats during flash floods, storms or because of poor pond containment.

He urged the Fisheries Department and Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department to tighten controls on the import, commercial breeding, sale and transit of non-native aquatic species.

He also called on fish farms to strengthen biosecurity and ornamental pet vendors to educate buyers against releasing unwanted species into waterways.

"Hobbyists must stop treating drains, canals and rivers as dumping grounds for overgrown pets or unwanted plants. Those unable to keep exotic species should surrender them to relevant wildlife or fisheries authorities instead," he said.