Organisation: Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Project focus: Urgent conservation action for Clarias sulcatus, an island endemic fish known only from two streams on Redang Island, Peninsular Malaysia
Location: Redang Island, Terengganu, Malaysia
Project date: March 2022 – March 2023 (ongoing)
Species: Clarias sulcatus
Supported by: Fondation Segré
The challenge
Freshwater fishes are one of the most highly threatened species groups but are also often neglected in receiving conservation attention. Clarias sulcatus is a hyperendemic island catfish found only in fast-flowing streams on Redang Island, off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Described only in 1999, little is known about the species, but they are facing immense pressure from land development and abstraction of freshwater to support the rapidly growing tourism on the island.
The species is historically known from only two streams on the island and is largely disconnected from other freshwater bodies. New airport construction risks destroying the last remaining known habitat for the species and conservation intervention is urgent.
The project
The primary aim of the project is to establish emergency conservation action for C. sulcatus to secure the remaining population of the species in the wild by:
- Assessing the population size and distribution throughout Redang Island
- Locating potential sites for translocation
- Establishing an ex situ breeding programme for eventual rewilding
- Engage with the local community to increase awareness of this species and support its conservation
- Developing a management plan for the species
- Operationalising active habitat management to prevent further habitat deterioration
“We believe the local communities and tour operators on the island play an important role in safeguarding the species. Hence, their knowledge obtain from this activity will help them protect the species from extinction.”
-Amiruddin Ahamad, University Malaysia Terengganu
Project reports
Project reports will be added here
