DoE begins probe into thousands of dead fish floating in Sungai Prai

 

Checks by the NST at Sungai Prai this afternoon found several DoE officers taking samples near where the fish died. - NSTP/DANIAL SAAD.

PRAI: The Department of Environment (DoE) has started investigations into an incident where thousands of dead fish were spotted floating in Sungai Prai here yesterday afternoon after high tide.

State DoE director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said they had taken water and dead fish samples for testing.

However, she said it was too soon to reveal the findings as the state DoE and Fisheries Department had just initiated a probe after receiving information about the matter yesterday.

"Whether the water is toxic or not, we don't know yet. It could be a natural phenomenon as well. It is still too early to conclude anything.

"We also need input from the state Fisheries Department's investigation into the matter," she told the New Straits Times.

Nearby fishermen and anglers are told not to collect the dead fish to be consumed or sold and that it was best if they stopped fishing in Sungai Prai for now. - NSTP/DANIAL SAAD.

Checks by the NST at Sungai Prai this afternoon found several DoE officers taking samples near where the fish died.

The samples were taken at four locations, with two samples taken from each location. This is the second time the samples were taken after yesterday.

The NST yesterday reported that thousands of dead fish were spotted floating in Sungai Prai here after the high tide.

Residents of nearby Taman Kimsar saw the strange event about 2.30pm, before alerting Seberang Prai City Council councillor David Marshel.

The councillor, who went to the location with Deputy Chief Minister II Professor Dr P. Ramasamy, said the stench from the dead fish was unbearable.

He has since advised nearby fishermen and anglers not to collect the dead fish to be consumed or sold and that it was best if they stopped fishing in Sungai Prai for now. - NST