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PASIR PUTEH – The aquaculture sector nationwide has suffered losses amounting to RM438,500 thus far due to the El Nino phenomenon, said Fisheries Department Director-General Datuk Adnan Hussain.
He said the losses involved a total of 21 breeders, with the highest losses recorded in Pahang at RM217,000, Terengganu (RM108,500), Johor (RM50,000), Selangor (RM39,000), and Kelantan (RM24,000).
He said the department advises breeders, especially those in high-risk areas, to assess the current situation and decide whether to start a new breeding round or wait until the weather stabilises.
“Breeders are also asked to reduce the rate of fry spreading as the risk of the fry dying and getting a disease is high when the weather is extremely hot, as it can affect the water temperature.
“The Fisheries Department is currently collecting information on the affected breeders where the information obtained will be taken to a higher level. In addition, we are also considering providing fry assistance to affected breeders once the weather stabilises again,” he said.
He said this to reporters at the 2023 East Zone myAgropreneur Perikanan and myKOMUNITI Perikanan Entrepreneurs Carnival at Dataran Bahtera Tok Bali today, which was also attended by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob.
Adnan said that the department is also actively monitoring the landing of sea fish because there is concern that the current weather will affect supply.
Thus far, he said, he has yet to receive any reports from fishermen regarding the fish supply, which is stable, with no need to stop fish exports.
“However, we are likely to face haze that will endanger small boat fishermen and affect navigation at sea, especially in the Strait of Melaka.
“Therefore, we advise the target group to find out the latest weather reports from the Meteorological Department from time to time so that activities at sea are not affected,” he said. – Bernama, June 6, 2023