FISH SUPPLY GUARANTEED DURING MONSOON SEASON, TRADERS WARNED AGAINST PRICE HIKE

KUALA BESUT, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) has urged traders not to take advantage of the upcoming northeast monsoon season to increase fish prices.

Its chairman, Muhammad Faiz Fadzil, said preparations have been made to store buffer stocks to meet market demands during the monsoon period, which is expected to begin in November and last until March next year.

“We guarantee that the nation’s fish supply will be sufficient throughout this period as we have reserves, imported fish and ongoing fishing activities on the West Coast.

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“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 officiating the ground-breaking ceremony for the Besut Area Fishermen’s Association (PNK) Ice Factory at the LKIM Complex here today.

On the construction of the second ice factory owned by the Besut PNK, Muhammad Faiz said the RM3 million 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, and the new facility will increase production to between 650 and 764 blocks daily.

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“The new factory will utilise the latest technology, the Direct Refrigeration Block Ice System, 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