Journal Article
Diversity, extinction risk and conservation of Malaysian fishes
Chong, V.C., PLee, P.K.Y. and Lau, C.M.
Record Number:
5292
Year:
2010
Journal:
Journal of Fish Biology
Pages:
2009-2066
Volume:
76
URL:
www.interscience.wiley.com
Abstract:
A total of 1951 species of freshwater and marine fishes belonging to 704 genera and 186 families are
recorded in Malaysia. Almost half (48%) are currently threatened to some degree, while nearly one
third (27%) mostly from the marine and coral habitats require urgent scientific studies to evaluate
their status. Freshwater habitats encompass the highest percentage of threatened fish species (87%)
followed by estuarine habitats (66%). Of the 32 species of highly threatened (HT) species, 16 are
freshwater and 16 are largely marine–euryhaline species. Fish extinctions in Malaysia are confined
to two freshwater species, but both freshwater and marine species are being increasingly threatened
by largely habitat loss or modification (76%), overfishing (27%) and by-catch (23%). The most
important threat to freshwater fishes is habitat modification and overfishing, while 35 species are
threatened due to their endemism. Brackish-water, euryhaline and marine fishes are threatened
mainly by overfishing, by-catch and habitat modification. Sedimentation (pollution) additionally
threatens coral-reef fishes. The study provides recommendations to governments, fish managers,
scientists and stakeholders to address the increasing and unabated extinction risks faced by the
Malaysian fish fauna.
Times Cited:
0