'Bilis' fish near extinction

'Bilis' fish near extinction

PADANG, West Sumatra: The bilis fish (mysfacolcucus
padangensis), a species exclusive to Singkarak lake in West
Sumatra, is on the brink of extinction, a fisheries expert said
on Monday.

Hafrijal Syandri of the privately run Bung Hatta University
said the use of Singkarak lake as a source of power for turbine-
generated electricity has resulted in a lowering of the lake's
water level.

"The water level has dropped to 360 meters from the normal 363
meters," Hafrijal said, adding the condition was affecting the
habitat of the fish.

The situation is further aggravated by fishermen who commonly
use traditional langli nets to catch the fish.

In a day, from a single net, fishermen can gather up to 100
kilograms of fish which is sold at around Rp 4,000 per kilogram.

In a bid to help protect the fish's habitat, the university's
School of Fishery is working together with the state electricity
company PLN to spread thousands of fish eggs in ponds in Guguk
hamlet.

Later in August, the hatched fish will be transported to
Singkarak lake.(28)