Im one of the participating Tagal member in Kg. Timpoluon, Penampang, Sabah. This is my view on this system;
First of all, we need to know the word ‘Tagal’ means. In Dusun language, “Tagal’ mean “No Need” or “Don’t”. In Sabah, Tagal system is widely use by villagers to protect the fresh water fish stock. Many districts had implemented this likes Penampang, Kota Belud, Papar and Tuaran.
Reasons for this system to be implemented are:
i. Make sure stock of fresh water fish not affected + fresh water fish existence
ii. Reduce over harvesting of fish using poison or electric current
In order to implement the system, a committee needs to be set up to run the Tagal system.
The committee tasks are:
i. Setting the Tagal boundary (staring point and end point).
ii. Set up a penalty for those who caught catching fish in the Tagal area. Penalty usually as monetary, animals (buffalo or pig) or both. Each member will be given the law (book).
iii. Setting a red zone (cannot catch fish in this area) and green zone (section of the river who member can catch fish one the river is open up).
iv. Setting up team to patrol the Tagal area.
The system only working if the participating member honor the Tagal law which they cannot catch fish unless is open. Besides that, they have to report to the Tagal committee if somebody is caught fishing in the Tagal area.
