KUALA BESUT: The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) has urged traders not to take advantage of the upcoming north-east monsoon to increase fish prices.
Authority chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said preparations have been made to keep buffer stocks to meet market demand during the monsoon period, which is expected to be from November to March.
"We guarantee that the nation’s fish supply will be sufficient as we have reserves, imported fish and ongoing fishing activities on the west coast.
"With a total of 1,500 metric tonnes of frozen fish stored nationwide, there is no excuse for traders to increase prices,” he told reporters after the ground-breaking ceremony for the Besut Area Fishermen’s Association ice factory at Ice Factory at the LKIM Complex here on Wednesday (Sept 25).
On the construction of the second ice factory owned by the association, he said the RM3mil facility is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
He added that the existing factory, located within the LKIM Complex, can only produce 390 ice blocks per day, while the new facility will increase production to between 650 and 764 blocks daily.
"The new factory will utilise the latest technology which not only speeds up ice production but is also safer as it does not use chemicals.
"The construction of this ice factory will indirectly boost fish landings, especially in Kuala Besut, as there have been complaints from fishermen about the insufficient supply of ice to preserve their catch,” he said. – Bernama
