Youthopias Malaysia 2024 proudly brought together 20 young participants from a fishing village in Kuching, giving them a meaningful platform to explore the future of their coastal environment and the vital role they play in its preservation. Through engaging discussions, the youths shared firsthand insights into the challenges facing their community—such as declining fish populations, pollution, and changing weather patterns—while also brainstorming innovative, sustainable solutions rooted in local knowledge and collective action. The programme not only amplified their voices but also strengthened their confidence to lead community-driven initiatives, ensuring that the next generation is empowered to protect and shape the future of their marine ecosystem.

Sarawak’s state government, led by Minister Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom, is reviewing proposed amendments to the Sarawak Fisheries Ordinance 2003 to include 40 invasive alien fish species, following concerns about their rapid spread and ecological threat. These species—including African catfish, redtail catfish, flowerhorn, alligator gar, dragonfish, and arapaima—were listed by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia in 2004. According to Dr. Rundi, they endanger native Sarawak fish like empurau, semah, tengadak, labang, and sayan by out-competing them and degrading water quality. The minister urged the public to help monitor and report sightings of these alien species—advising people not to release them, not to use them as bait, and to destroy any caught specimens rather than consume them. In conjunction with enforcement efforts, the government has launched the first Invasive Alien Fish Hunting Programme, underscoring a broader effort involving multiple agencies to safeguard Sarawak’s freshwater biodiversity