SEREMBAN: Laboratory tests conducted by the Kuala Lumpur Fisheries Biosecurity Centre (PBPKL) on seawater samples from Port Dickson a few days ago showed that biotoxin levels had dropped below 800 parts per billion.
Negri Sembilan Fisheries Department (JPNS) director Kasim Tawe, however, said the ban on harvesting or consuming mussels and shellfish in the area remains in force pending further monitoring.
“The biotoxin levels have been found to have fallen just below the danger mark, but we need a little more time to take additional samples to ensure they remain low and stable.
“For now, the ban on harvesting and consuming them remains in place. We will be taking samples weekly to ensure that the biotoxin levels are completely safe,” he told Bernama here Friday (Sept 19).
Kasim was previously reported to have said that operators and farmers using the mussel stake and cage system from Sungai Sekawang to Tanjung Teluk, Pasir Panjang, had been instructed to temporarily stop harvesting shellfish from Port Dickson waters with immediate effect.
He said the ban would remain in place until the JPNS investigation was completed and advised the public not to consume shellfish from the affected area to avoid the risk of food poisoning. – Bernama
