Port dickson: The Negeri Sembilan Fisheries Department has urged fishers to stop harvesting shellfish, including mussels, in Port Dickson waters following elevated biotoxin levels exceeding safety limits. Department director Kasim Tawe indicated that this precautionary measure comes amid concerns about the safety of consuming shellfish from the area.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, tests conducted by the Kuala Lumpur Fisheries Biosecurity Centre (PBPKL) revealed contamination in the seawater. A second round of testing is currently underway to confirm the initial findings before an official ban on shellfish harvesting is enforced. The department is actively collaborating with the Area Fishermen's Association (PNK) to implement this temporary halt, ensuring the safety of consumers and the sustainability of the marine ecosystem.

The advisory follows recent reports of red-coloured seawater near Pasir Panjang, suspected to be caused by a harmful algal bloom. Samples were collected last Wednesday to further investigate the phenomenon. Additionally, the Telok Kemang Fishermen Association had reported similar signs of the bloom in the area, raising concerns among local fishing communities.