BALIK PULAU: Wholesalers and traders have been reminded to not take advantage of the northeast monsoon period to raise seafood prices, especially fish.
Stressing that the fish supply would be sufficient throughout the monsoon season from November to March next year, Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said the agency had made early preparations.
“The fish supply is mainly affected on the east coast, and this too, only involving small boat zones within five nautical miles of the coast.
“The large vessels will continue their fishing activities, as in the west coast.
“We have prepared with a fish stockpile of about 90 metric tonnes, in collaboration with private sector partners in the fisheries industry, adding up to a total of 1,600 metric tonnes in reserves.
“We also have imported stock, so there is no reason for prices to surge.
I hope traders, wholesalers and transporters in the supply chain do not take advantage of the northeast monsoon season to raise prices,” he said after officiating the Rahmah Mesra Madani programme with Penang fishermen in Teluk Bahang near here, Bernama reported.
At the event, Muhammad Faiz also presented the agency’s Touch Point aid, which included boat engines, insulated fish boxes, fishing nets, fish crates and food baskets, as well as fishing equipment worth RM150,000, to 124 fishermen.
Separately, he said the agency also planned to repair 30% of the 397 fishermen’s jetties nationwide to ensure that they are in good condition.
