NABAWAN: Sabah's traditional tagal system remains one of the most effective community-based approaches to conserving river fisheries while strengthening food security and creating economic opportunities for rural communities, the Fisheries Department said.
Sabah Fisheries director Datin Dr Shuhadah Mustapha said the centuries-old tagal system had successfully restored declining fish populations while safeguarding river resources for future generations.
"The tagal system, which is based on the protection, conservation and management of fisheries resources, is a traditional Sabah community practice that has been passed down through generations.
"It has also proven to be an effective community-based conservation approach.
"In the Pensiangan and Pagalungan areas alone, there are 21 active traditional tagal sites. This development reflects growing public awareness of the importance of river conservation," in a statement by Sabah Information Department, she said at the opening of the Kampung Kuala Sumatalun Traditional Tagal in Nabawan on Thursday.
Her speech was delivered by Sabah Fisheries deputy director (Operations) Lawrence Kissol Jr.
Shuhadah said Pagalungan had also achieved success after Tagal Kampung Sosogoh was developed into an eco-tourism attraction.
"To date, there are 654 tagal sites throughout Sabah involving 232 rivers, with 43 categorised as Tagal MOU.
"Besides serving as a fisheries conservation mechanism, the tagal system also has great potential to generate income for local communities through eco-tourism activities such as fish feeding, camping, recreational fishing and nature-based tourism," she said.
She added that Tagal Kampung Kuala Sumatalun was unique because its river was home to the salarong fish, a species found only in selected rivers in Sabah.
"This uniqueness adds significant value to the tagal's potential to be developed as a community tourism product, while creating employment opportunities and generating income for local residents," she said.
Meanwhile, Shuhadah urged tagal communities to remain vigilant against fish diseases and changing weather conditions following reports of mass fish deaths in several Sabah rivers this year.
She said the incidents were believed to have been caused by Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) infections, as well as prolonged dry weather affecting several parts of the state.
To minimise the risks, the department has recommended prohibiting the transfer of fish between rivers and banning the release of non-native fish species into rivers to protect indigenous fish populations and prevent the spread of disease.
"To reduce losses suffered by tagal communities, the Fisheries Department also recommends the controlled opening of tagal areas based on prevailing conditions," she said.
Also present were District Officer Marshal Anthony @ Idham, District Chief Philip Antugi and Kampung Kuala Sumatalun Tagal chairman Pilin Lumbis.
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