IFRDMD Conducts an Eel Fishery Survey in Malaysia

From 14 to 16 May 2025, SEAFDEC and the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Malaysia successfully conducted a baseline survey on anguillid eels in Penang, as part of the JAIF-supported project on the sustainable utilization of anguillid eel resources in Southeast Asia. The survey was led by Mr. Toru Shimoda, Deputy Chief of SEAFDEC/IFRDMD.

The survey team—comprising representatives from SEAFDEC/Secretariat, SEAFDEC/IFRDMD, and Malaysia’s DOF—was warmly welcomed by the Pusat Pengembangan Teknologi Perikanan Gelugor, Jabatan Perikanan Negeri Pulau Pinang. Local officers shared valuable insights into the presence, fishing practices, and traditional uses of anguillid eels in the area.

The team visited key sites along the Perai River, where they engaged directly with local fishers to gather information on traditional fishing gear, seasonal trends, and community knowledge. In Penang, the primary fishery commodity is the giant freshwater prawn, while the anguillid eel—known locally as linang or tuna—is typically a bycatch species.

Eel migration is influenced by the presence of three water gates, along with environmental challenges such as pollution and habitat degradation. Despite its higher market value compared to swamp eels, the anguillid eel remains poorly understood by local communities, who rarely encounter juvenile stages such as glass or marble eels. Traditional knowledge highlights its use in food and folk medicine, yet formal monitoring and conservation measures are still lacking.

During the trip, the team collected four eel specimens—three from Penang and one from Kedah. Tissue and fin samples were preserved for laboratory analysis using CO1, Cyt B, and microsatellite markers to identify species and assess genetic diversity. The findings will contribute to a regional database and support future conservation and management strategies for anguillid eel fisheries across ASEAN.