Giant snakehead fishing contest...

About a thousand anglers participated in a fishing competition targeting the invasive predatory fish species known as the giant snakehead (locally called “Deduru Naya”), held at Daduru Oya in Wariyapola on September 20. Meanwhile, the Minister announced in a statement that, effective today, the import, sale, and transportation of redline snakehead, knifefish, alligator gar, and piranha species imported from Southeast Asia will be banned. The competition aimed to safely remove the rapidly spreading invasive giant snakehead, which is threatening local fish species, while also raising public awareness about the issue. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

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