PRODUCTION of cockle seeds in Sabak Bernam dropped from 555,048 in 2019 to zero in 2023.
This was revealed by Mohd Razali Saari (PN-Sungai Panjang), who wanted to know the main factors behind the decline.
Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim said factors such as deteriorating seabed conditions and water quality made the area less suitable for cockle breeding.
“There have also been cases of cockle seed theft by smugglers.”
He said fishermen had not reported the decrease in cockle seeds from natural beds, which they should have done, to facilitate monitoring.
He was speaking at the Selangor State Assembly Sitting at Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor in Shah Alam.
Izham said a study was conducted by the Fisheries Department and Sirim (Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia) Bhd at Kuala Selangor.
“I observed how the water, particularly from the Sungai Buloh river, flows into the sea.
“Our study showed that in polluted areas, the cockles were very small and if any were found, they contained toxins that made them unsafe for consumption.
“A study is currently being conducted in Sabak Bernam and we have allocated state funds to allow Sirim to continue its research in the area,” he said.
Izham said one of the proposals by the Fisheries Department was to reassess the distributed lots, as many were no longer being used.
“We need to measure the lots and determine the areas along the coastline suitable for cockle farming.
“One of the proposals is to reclaim the land.
“There are too many dead shells, which prevent the cockles from accessing resources.
“These dead shells need to be removed.”
He said illegal cockle harvesting often took place in shallow areas, thus another proposal was to step up enforcement.
“We have managed to make some arrests and took legal action,” he added.
Izham said the welfare of the fishing community was under the purview of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) and that the state was collaborating with the various fishermen’s associations to provide assistance.
