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Kota Kinabalu: The State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry has ordered the immediate capture and destruction of all koi fish and non-endemic Cyprinidae species from tagal areas, fish farms and rivers across the State.

Its Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the directive followed confirmation that the Koi Herpesvirus (KHV), carried by the species, was the main cause of pelian (kelah) fish deaths reported in several districts since Aug 1, 2025.

“The fish must be destroyed immediately in accordance with prescribed biosecurity disposal standard operating procedures (SOP), and any form of release is strictly prohibited,” he said, in a statement, Monday.

Previously, mass deaths of pelian fish were reported in major rivers in Keningau, Tambunan, Tenom, Penampang, Tuaran, Ranau and Sipitang.

Jamawi said field investigations found the primary cause of the outbreak was the uncontrolled release of foreign fish species, particularly koi and other non-endemic Cyprinidae, into public waters.

He said such irresponsible actions violated biosecurity principles and caused serious infections among local fish species, including pelian, which is classified as a high-value species.

He added that the ongoing dry season has increased water temperatures, creating conditions conducive to virus activation and raising the risk of mass fish deaths.

Meanwhile, Jamawi said the Ministry has imposed a temporary ban on all import and export activities involving Cyprinidae species into and out of Sabah.

The ban covers live fish, fry, broodstock and any biological transfer that could spread KHV, and takes immediate effect until a full biosecurity risk assessment is completed.

“Under the Sabah Inland Fisheries Enactment, any party that releases foreign fish into public waters, fails to comply with destruction orders, or violates the import and export ban will face strict legal action,” he said.

Jamawi also warned aquaculture operators, ornamental fish breeders and the public not to introduce or release foreign fish species into public waters and to comply fully with biosecurity requirements.

“This incident poses a serious threat to Sabah’s inland aquatic biodiversity and could lead to the permanent loss of endemic species such as pelian if not addressed aggressively and comprehensively.

“There will be no compromise on biosecurity threats. Firm action will be taken without exception,” he said.

Earlier, KHV was confirmed as the main cause of pelian fish deaths reported in several districts since Aug 1, 2025, following analysis by the Sabah Fisheries Department’s Biosecurity Laboratory at the Likas Fisheries Complex here.

He said KHV is a dangerous pathogenic virus that attacks fish from the Cyprinidae family and is classified as a high-impact aquaculture disease with a very high mortality rate.

“Scientific data shows mortality rates can reach between 80 and 100 per cent in infected populations. The virus is active in water temperatures of around 18 to 28 degrees Celsius and becomes more aggressive with sudden temperature changes.

“It can also remain latent before reactivating under environmental stress such as dry seasons and spreads through water, direct contact, contaminated equipment and the transfer of live fish,” he said.