Limit feeding, manage fish population at Taman Bulatan pond, DoA tells MCC

Yii (front, third left) is briefed by a DoA officer on the report’s findings and recommendations to address the pond’s issues.

MIRI (Jan 7): Miri City Council (MCC) has been recommended to only allow pellet-based food and regulate feeding quantities for marine life at the Taman Bulatan pond in an effort to reduce pollution.

Mayor Adam Yii said this recommendation came from the Department of Agriculture (DoA) Sarawak, due to uneaten feed exacerbating the pond’s pollution.

“The DoA has recommended controlling the amount of fish and other aquatic creatures in the Taman Bulatan pond here, as well as to feed the marine life with only pellet-based food and regulate the quantity of feed based on the population of the fish.

“This is to prevent uneaten feed residue from polluting the pond’s water,” he said in a statement.

After conducting water sampling and ecological analysis of the pond, the DoA advised MCC to address the issue of the pond’s green-coloured water and unpleasant odour.

“The DoA’s report found that the water quality reading of the pond remains within acceptable levels. However, the large catfish population may be a major factor contributing to the green-coloured water, increased foam and unpleasant odour.

“The foam is likely caused by the natural secretion of mucus on the catfish’s skin, combined with the water circulation generated by the paddle wheel aerator, which concentrates foam in specific areas of the pond,” said Yii.

In response to the DoA’s report, the mayor instructed MCC officers to take immediate action to implement the department’s recommendations to ensure that the issues at the pond are effectively resolved.

To this end, he urged the public to help protect the park’s environment and minimise disturbances to its ecosystem.

“The MCC is committed to collaborating with the relevant authorities to optimise the pond’s management plan, ensuring that Taman Bulatan remains a sustainable, green and comfortable space for recreational activities.”