THE Fisheries Department (DOF) confirmed that mussels in the waters of Port Dickson, particularly in Kampung Telok and Sungai Sekawang in Pasir Panjang have been contaminated with biotoxins and are not safe for consumption.
Its deputy director-general (management) Wan Aznan Abdullah said tests on water samples and mussels revealed the presence of biotoxins as well as harmful Prorocentrum, Alexandrium and Pseudo Nitzschia algae species.
"Given this, the public is advised against eating mussels and other bivalves such as Lokan and Lala harvested here for three weeks till they are certified safe to eat.
"We believe the hot weather is among the causes of this algae multiplying rapidly in the waters.
"Fortunately, it does not affect fish, shrimp, crabs and other marine life," he said in Port Dickson today.
Wan Aznan said tests carried out by the department showed that bivalves farmed and fished in other states such as Melaka and Johor were safe to eat.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and conduct regular testing. This will be done till the cell density in the water decreases and biotoxins in the mussel content are no longer detected," he said.
He said the DOF will work closely with the relevant authorities, including the police to ensure mussels are not harvested and sold in Port Dickson.
This is the first time such cases were reported in the district, he added.
The Negri Sembilan Health Department earlier said there were eight cases of food poisoning related to the consumption of mussels.
One patient is still being treated at the Port Dickson Hospital.
"There is no need to worry about the existing mussels in the waters as they will neutralise themselves naturally.
"However, those that have been harvested and sold in the market must be destroyed," he said.
Wan Aznan said fishermen and farmers have been ordered not to harvest bivalves from the sea for now. - The Vibes, April 4, 2024
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