CHUKAI: The Teluk Kalong beach here has been polluted with oil slicks believed to be remnants from ships anchored near the beach.
Fisherman Nazri Said, 52, said he saw an oil slick 2km off the coast when he was going fishing at 4am on Monday (April 13).
He said he also found dead fish and squid floating in the sea near the beach.
He also said he stepped on some oil residue on the beach when going to his boat.
Nazri also said it could be semi-solid lubricating oil or grease dumped from ships anchored near the beach.
Another fisherman Mohamad Hasnam Khalid, 55, said he had never seen oil residue on the beach before.
"Coastal fishermen here say their catch was spoiled after the oil pollution," he said.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Environment Department director Hamzah Mohamad said they received a report on the pollution in the coastal area on Monday.
"Seawater and sand samples were taken at the scene and sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis.
"The Marine Department has also contacted its Kemaman branch to obtain a list of ships anchored around Teluk Kalong beach. Investigations were also carried out at the Kemaman Port reclamation project site nearby," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the work to clean up the oil spill would be carried out soon involving various agencies and coordinated by the Kemaman Municipal Council. – Bernama
