PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF FISH IN MELIAU RIVER, ULU TUNGUD, SABAH. by Azli Abu Bakar & David Lee Global Environment Centre

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1 PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF FISH IN MELIAU RIVER, ULU TUNGUD, SABAH by Azli Abu Bakar & David Lee Global Environment Centre

2 OBJECTIVES To assess fish species diversity and distribution of Meliau river To assess water quality status of Meliau river To conduct preliminary assessment of human activities around the river and impacts on the riverine ecosystem

3 RIVERS FLOWING INTO LABUK RIVER FROM THE MELIAU RANGE Padau Lawan River Matapatan River Padau Madau River Pinianakan River Meliau River Samang River Maralabu River Ensuon River Labuk River

4 SAMPLING AREAS Mt. Meliau Base camp Sampling point (gill nets, rod and line) Sampling point (rod and line/scoop net)

5 FISH SAMPLING METHODS Gill nets with different mesh size (across the river) Rod and line (deep pool) Scoop net (small and shallow pool)

6 FISH SAMPLING METHODS Sample using rod and line

7 FISH SAMPLING METHODS Setting up net across the stream

8 FISH SAMPLING METHODS Setting up net in the deep pool downstream

9 Bigger fish were observed to be hiding in these areas, however, none was caught

10 FISH SAMPLING METHODS POLE POLE ~ 15 to 20 ft Setting up gill net along the river side

11 FISH SAMPLING METHODS Scoop net were used for sampling at the small stream

12 CONSTRAINTS RELATED TO FISH SAMPLING Access Time constraint Sampling equipment

13 RESULTS OF FISH SAMPLING Common name Species No. % Seluang Rasbora sumatranus 5 5% Pelian Tor spp 5 5% Sebarau Hampala macrolepidota 9 8% Buntal Chonerhinus modestus 4 4% Baung hitam Mystus nemurus 22 20% Baung Putih Aerius spp 40 37% Crossocheilus nigriloba 4 4% Mastacembelus spp 1 1% Nandus nebulosus 1 1% Lampam Puntius sealei 7 6% Unidentified 6 6% Bulan Nematabramis everetti 2 2% Total 109 Freshwater Prawn 1 Freshwater Crab 2

14 SELECTED PHOTOS OF FISH SAMPLED Baung Nandus Tor spp Seluang Bulan

15 SELECTED PHOTOS OF FISH SAMPLED Lampam Buntal

16 Ikan Bulan (Nematabramis everetti)

17 An endemic puffer fish species to North Borneo rivers.

18 Rasbora spp.

19 Unidentified species

20 Baung puteh (Aerius sp)

21 Baung hitam (mystus nemurus)

22 A fish species (Possibly Epalzeorhynchus kalliurus?) feeding on the algae

23 Unidentified freshwater crabs

24 VALUES OF FISHES Potential Angling Species Sebarau Pelian Potential Aquarium Species Nandus Pelian untal Food consumption Baung Sebarau

25 WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS PARAMETER: ph Iron as Fe Copper as Cu Overall water quality is between class I - II Total Chromium as Cr E. Coli PARAMETER W1 W1.1 W2 (upstream) (mid-section) (downstream) ph Fe (ppm) Cu (ppm) Cr (ppm) < 0.04 < 0.04 < 0.04 E. Coli (cfu/100ml) na na 2800 Sources: Accreditation Lab Eralab Sdn Bhd

26 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

27 IMPACTS IN DIFFERENT ZONES Upstream - Pristine Midstream some land clearing Lower stream land clearing and oil palm plantations and Pollution

29 UPSTREAM Deep Pool 2-3 meter

30 UPSTREAM Shallow and shady area

31 MIDSTREAM Cut and exposed hill slope with ultra basic soil will be washed out into the stream leading into sedimentation and siltation problem at lower part of the river.

32 DOWNSTREAM Sedimentation

33 DOWNSTREAM Sediment and silt

34 DOWNSTREAM Lower part of the river have more flat area, sandy bottom and river bank.

35 DOWNSTREAM Plantation area with some of the oil palm trees close to the river bank.

36 DOWNSTREAM Stream from plantation area joining with Meliau river at downstream River flowing towards Labuk river

37 Unidentified algae found covering all the rocky bottom at shallow part of the river indication of pollution by fertiliser or other nutrients DOWNSTREAM

38 PROBLEMS RELATED TO ILLEGAL FISHING Electro fishing Reported occurred few years ago mainly by outsiders and contract workers. Bombing Some local, outsiders and contract workers are still involved in this activity. Poisoning Large scale poisoning of the Meliau river was reported up to 3 years ago. Locals reported recent poisoning in the ensuon River by outsiders.

39 RECOMMENDATIONS Do not allow any clearance of river banks and buffer zone (40-100m depending on width of river) Do not allow clearance of steep slopes in the catchment of the river Revegetate any cleared areas along river banks Ensure appropriate soil erosion control measures put in place Monitor and control water pollution from oil palm plantation areas Monitor and prevent illegal fishing methods such as poisoning, bombing and electro-fishing

40 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE ACTIVITIES Assessment of the dependence of local communities on the riverine fish resources Assess options for community involvement in protection of rivers from illegal fishing activities Assess options for recreational fishing activities Monitoring impact of plantation and forestry activities on river water quality More detailed study of fish species and distribution.

41 THANK YOU

The itchyofauna of Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia, with special reference to the stream near Ginseng Camp

JOURNAL OF TROPICAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION 6 : 55 59, 2010 55 The itchyofauna of Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia, with special reference to the stream near Ginseng Camp Elczah Olivia