BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: In view of the growing concern of the red tide phenomenon in Sabah, the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources has temporarily slapped a ban on the importation of small fish from Sabah, Borneo Bulletin reported.
According to a press release issued by the Department of Fisheries, people are banned from importing the following fishes from Sabah; Tamban, Aur-Aur, Rumahan Bini, Rumahan Laki, Temanong, Selidai, Sanglar, Geronggong, Basong-Basong, Pusu, Kuasi and Termanong Bersurat, Molluscs, including oysters, cockles and mussels from Sabah are also banned.
The latest monitoring and laboratory analysis carried out by the Department of Fisheries yesterday has shown that the waters of Brunei Darussalam are now affected by red tide. The affected areas are Pelumpong and Pancang Hijau.
The Department of Fisheries of Sabah, meanwhile, through its media informed the public that some of the water areas of Sabah are affected by red tide, including Kuala Penyu, Pulau Gaya, Sepanggar Bay, Menggatal Bay, Likas Bay, Papar, Putatan and Tuaran districts.
As a precautionary measure, members of the public are reminded to remove the guts, gills and other internal organs of fish before cooking. The public should also refrain from eating small fish of which their gills, guts and internal organs cannot be removed and also Molluscan shellfish as well as fish from any of the affected areas or from unknown origins.
The Department of Fisheries will continue to monitor the red tide situation. In the meantime, the public, especially fishermen, can assist the department by reporting any water discolouration or mass fish mortality in the country’s water and beaches by calling 2770066, 8614867, 8878833, 8847846, 8787337 or 8675409.