Ban on harvesting, sale of Port Dickson, Malacca shellfish lifted

The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) has lifted the ban on the harvesting and sale of shellfish including mussels in the waters of Port Dickson and Malacca following a drop in biotoxin to safe levels.

Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup said as a result of laboratory monitoring and analysis, biotoxin readings showed a decrease to below 400 parts per billion (ppb) for the 15th sample.

“So fishing activities in the affected areas can continue as usual. Monitoring and sampling will still be carried out from time to time,” he told reporters after officiating the “Pesta Mengoca Komuniti Perikanan at Kampung Sungai Jerneh Fish Estate, Gemencheh.

Also present were Tampin MP Mohd Isam Mohd Isa and Fisheries director-general Adnan Hussain.

Arthur said the public is advised to be vigilant and follow further announcements by the authorities to ensure food safety.

On April 4, DOF deputy director-general (management) Wan Aznan Abdullah was reported to have said that laboratory analysis at the Kuala Lumpur Fisheries Biosecurity Centre found harmful algae that caused mussels in Port Dickson’s waters to be contaminated and unsafe to eat.

Meanwhile, Arthur said the state is the biggest contributor to the aquaculture sub-sector at 5,587.4 tonnes (90.78 percent) of fish production with a value of RM73.8 million last year.

“This involves 431 registered aquaculture operators and the Tampin district contributed RM2.9 million to freshwater fish production,” he said.

- Bernama

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