Marine life expert Dr Syafiq Musa said species such as snappers (ikan merah), trevally (ikan talang), Spanish mackerel (ikan tenggiri) and sea bream remain available in markets, but in far lower numbers than before. “Several of these fish species in Malaysian waters face a genuine risk of local extinction if current trends persist. “Spanish mackerel are still caught, but large, mature individuals are nearly gone, indicating heavy fishing pressure,” said the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia lecturer. “These species grow slowly and produce few offspring, so once numbers fall, recovery is very slow,” he said. Reversing decades of decline, Syafiq explained, requires stronger science-based interventions, particularly in regulating fishing pressure and protecting critical habitats.

Source: The Star March 24, 2026 02:09 UTC