Kota Kinabalu: The State Government will strengthen the Sabah Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Enactment 2003 with specific provisions on biosecurity and invasive species following the outbreak of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV), which has affected the tagal system in Sabah.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the move reflects the Government’s firm stance that the incident was partly due to weaknesses in controlling the movement and release of non-native fish species.
“A comprehensive ban on the release of non-native species into public waters will be enforced, along with heavier penalties, including maximum compounds and prosecution,” he said.
Jamawi noted that the outbreak has directly impacted the food security of rural communities that rely on pelian fish as a primary protein source.
He said pelian fish are not only vital for daily consumption but also hold strong economic value through tagal-based ecotourism.
“The impacts include the loss of traditional protein sources, reduced income for tagal communities, disruption to river-based tourism activities, and implications for the cultural heritage of local communities,” he said.
On assistance for affected communities, Jamawi said the State Government remains committed to safeguarding their welfare through targeted financial aid.
He added that alternative economic programmes, such as high-biosecurity aquaculture, will be introduced alongside special allocations for fisheries resource recovery.
The Government has also directed that all koi fish (Cyprinus sp.) be removed from the tagal system and public waters.
“To ensure compliance, instructions have been issued through a circular by the Sabah Fisheries Department to all districts.
“The active involvement of district fisheries officers, village heads and tagal committee chairpersons is being mobilised, along with regular field monitoring, including in interior areas, and strict enforcement against non-compliance,” he said.
In terms of recovery, Jamawi said a comprehensive plan had been developed, including the breeding of disease-free pelian fish and controlled restocking in selected areas.
He added that efforts would also focus on river habitat rehabilitation and the establishment of the Mahua Freshwater Fish Biodiversity Centre in Tambunan.
Jamawi said the Government is adopting a science-based approach through strategic collaboration with the Malaysian Fisheries Department, local research institutions, universities and fish health diagnostic laboratories.
“This collaboration includes molecular virus detection, epidemiological studies and the development of mitigation plans,” he said.
He added that climate change had been identified as a contributing factor to the KHV outbreak.
“Studies show KHV becomes active at temperatures between 18°C and 28°C. Sudden water temperature changes increase stress in fish, while poor water quality accelerates infection,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Government has activated continuous risk monitoring through the State Emergency Disease Taskforce under the Sabah Fisheries Department.
He said monitoring focuses on endemic species within the Cyprinidae family, high-risk rivers and active tagal zones, using an “early detection and rapid response” approach to prevent wider transmission.
Jamawi also urged the public and aquaculture operators to take the issue seriously.
“All parties are advised not to release non-native fish into public waters, to comply fully with biosecurity guidelines and to report any unusual fish deaths immediately.
“The Government will not hesitate to take firm action against those who violate regulations to protect the State’s fisheries resources,” he said.
