Friday, 25 June 2021

By: Abdulwakil Olawale Saba, Ahmad Ismail, Syaizwan Zahmir Zulkifl

Article prepared by: Farah Izana Abdullah

The ornamental fish industry makes a vital contribution to international trade in many developing countries where ornamental fishes are produced. Malaysia is one of the top ten countries in the world that produces freshwater ornamental fishes. This industry generates foreign exchange and creates jobs for the locals. Nevertheless, ecological sustainability and the economic viability of the industry call for concern. There is existing evidence that the ornamental fish trade is an important route for alien fish introduction and translocation. However, there appears to be a general lack of information on the contribution of the alien ornamental fish industry to livelihoods in Malaysia. Therefore, a study was conducted to assess the contribution of alien freshwater fishes to the income of fish store owners and their attitude towards alien freshwater fishes within Klang Valley, Malaysia by using a structured questionnaire.

This industry within Klang Valley were dominated by alien fishes which contribute 51–100% to the businesses of store owners, while 78% of the store owners earned between RM 2001 and RM 5000 of income/month with alien ornamental fishes contribute the most (42%) to the income. Interestingly, educational level directly influences the environmental awareness toward alien ornamental fish culture and sale in Malaysia. While the mismanagement of alien ornamental fishes could give various negative ecological impacts, the socio-economic benefits of the alien ornamental fishes also cannot be denied.

Web: 10.7717/peerj.10643

Date of Input: 01/07/2021 | Updated: 01/07/2021 | m_fakhrulddin