SHAH ALAM, 14 Jan 2018:
The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) will ask the National Fishermen Association (Nekmat) to produce 40 tonnes of frozen fresh fish (Q-Fish) to be sold at farmers’ markets nationwide to control the rising prices of fish.
Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim said the Q-Fish – including cencaru, pelaling and kembung – would be sold at the ceiling price of not more than RM10 per kg.
He said Nekmat would also be asked to import 20 tonnes of such fish from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan – while at the same time continue to freeze export of fish by local fishermen until end of February.
“The monsoon phenomenon and heavy rain occurring in the north of peninsula are causing rough sea conditions and we expect this situation to persist until end of March, which will result in further decline in fish landings and an increase in the price of fish.
“When the monsoon season is over, the fish landing activities and fish supply will definitely return to normal,” he said in response to rising price of fresh fish in local markets, especially in the northern states of the peninsula.
Irmohizam also said that the LKIM had also asked for the Q-Fish to be sold only at farmers’ markets so that the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority could control the price.
– Bernama