Sabah Fisheries issues red tide warning

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Fisheries Department has issued a red tide (Gonyaulax polygramma) warning in Kota Kinabalu waters.

State Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Junz Wong said operators of fish cage farming should move their fish from the cages in the open sea to tanks.

The presence of Gonyaulax polygramma species cell had reached dangerous levels, according to the department.

While it does not affect people who consume contaminated fish, the species could result in fish deaths for fish cage farmers.

“Samples have been taken from the waters around Pulau Gaya.

“This species only affects fish in cage cultures particularly. So we wish to remind fish cage farmers to take necessary precautionary measures to avoid and reduce losses,” he said in a statement.

Wong said fish in the cages could die due to lack of oxygen in the water.

He said besides moving their fish, operators should also filter the sea water used in the fish tanks.

“All fish, molluscs, prawns, crabs and squids are safe to eat provided that the gills and the inside are cleared, and washed properly with clean water.

“It doesn’t affect human health,” Wong said.