LKIM imports 20 tonnes frozen fresh fish to meet local demand
Norzamira Che Noh
New Straits Times13 January 2018
SHAH ALAM: The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) imports 20 tonnes of frozen fresh fish from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to cater to the demand among Malaysians.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim said the country had some 40 tonnes of frozen fresh fish supply, which was expected to be sufficient for three months.
“Although existing supplies are adequate, LKIM and the National Fishermen's Association of Malaysia are taking precautionary steps to import fish from the three countries.
“Apart from importing fresh frozen fishes, we are also taking steps to enforce a ban on exporting several types of fish such as ikan kembung (mackerel), pelaling and cencaru (torpedo scad),” he said at the Selangor Youth Council Annual General Assembly here today.
Irmohizam said stern action would be taken against any party which was found to have exported fish following the ban.
He said the monsoon season and changing weather patterns, with strong winds and turbulent seas was dangerous to all shipping and coastal activities, including fishing.
“Besides, only between 40 and 45 per cent of fish land in our waters. The rest we have to depend on fishermen to go out to sea to fish. Nevertheless, we expect the percentage to return to normal in April,” he said. © New Straits Times
