|
Cage fish farming: Breeders suspend adding fish seeds due to haze
Last Update: 26/09/2019
KOTA BHARU, Sept 26 -- Cage fish breeders in Laguna Sri Tujoh, Tumpat have decided not to add new fish seeds into the cages for the past few weeks due to the haze.
Laguna Sri Tujoh Fish Farmers’ Association chairman, Mohd Saifullah Che Mat said the measure was taken for fear that the haze would cause fish to die and breeders would suffer losses.
“After seeing the haze hit the country for the last few weeks, all the breeders decided to suspend adding new fish seeds into the cages.
“It is feared the haze will reduce oxygen which is likely to cause the fish to die. So far no existing fish in the cages have died,” he said when contacted by Bernama here today.
Mohd Saifullah said, however, the process of adding fish seeds may be carried out soon because the haze situation was gradually improving following a change in the monsoon has begun.
He said there were about 102 cage fish breeders rearing ‘kerapu’ (Grouper) and ‘siakap’ (sea bass) in the lagoon with an estimated total of 5,000 fish cages with an average of 400 fish per cage.
As a precautionary measure every breeder was provided with a blower and giant engine to increase oxygen levels in the cage.
Kelantan Fisheries Department director Nazri Ishak was reported to have advised freshwater and brackish water breeders in the state to take precautionary measures by reducing the rate of fish seed dispersal in ponds to reduce fish density.
He said the measure was to avoid pressure on the fish so that the dissolved oxygen levels for the fish would be sufficient.
The Kelantan Air Pollution Index (API) was at an unhealthy level three days ago with a reading of over 110 at two stations in the state recently but has returned to normal after heavy rainfall and monsoon changes occurred.
-- BERNAMA
|
