Piranha Empangan Klau: DOF kata belum ada bukti populasi membiak

A piranha-like fish was caught in Empangan Klau on August 26th. The Malaysian Fisheries Department (DOF) stated there is no evidence to suggest a thriving and breeding population of piranha in Empangan Klau, Raub, Pahang. The catch was a result of a trawl net operation in the reservoir on August 26th. Chief Commissioner of Fisheries, Adnan Hussain, said a technical assessment by the Institute of Aquatic Research (IPP) Glami Lemi, Negeri Sembilan, found morphological features consistent with the genus Pygocentrus, the group of piranha fish.

However, confirmation to the species level cannot be made due to the lack of physical specimens for further examination. Adnan Hussain explained that the fish was reported dead and discarded by the individual who caught it before the investigation was carried out. According to him, only one such fish has been reported caught in the area so far.

The DOF conducted a field investigation and monitoring up to September 15th and recorded no additional catches or safety incidents in the area. "The public should not panic, but the department will continue focused monitoring to ensure any new developments can be identified and appropriate action is taken," he said. DOF warned against releasing potentially invasive alien fish species into public waters, which could devastate aquatic ecosystems, native fish populations, and aquatic biological diversity.

Adnan Hussain urged the public not to release back into the water any piranha-like fish they might catch. If an alien fish species such as this is caught, do not release it back into the water. Keep the specimen if it is in good condition and immediately contact the nearest fisheries office for further examination, including DNA testing if needed.

The field monitoring will continue regularly, including recording any relevant information or catches in Empangan Klau and the surrounding area.