SUNGAI PETANI, Oct 25 — The Kedah branch of the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) will create frozen fish (Q-Fish) stockpiles to ensure an adequate supply of fish during the northeast monsoon season, which is expected to begin next month.

Its director, Dr Abdul Salim Tajudin, said that for a start, 10 tonnes of frozen fish, purchased and collected from fishermen statewide, would be used as buffer stock at the LKIM Kuala Kedah port in Alor Setar.

“We expect the northeast monsoon will last from this November to January next year, which will reduce fish supply. However, LKIM will create a buffer stock to overcome this shortage.

“We will start putting together a buffer stock in December, with an initial 10 tonnes of fish to be frozen using individual quick freezing (IQF) technology,” he said when met at LKIM’s 50th Golden Jubilee celebration and the ‘gotong-royong’ with fishing community in Tanjung Dawai today.

Also present was state Agriculture and Food Industry, Plantation Industries and Commodities, Transport and Indian Community Affairs Committee chairman, Azman Nasruddin.

Abdul Salim said that among the types of fish collected included kembung, cencaru and selayang, which were in high demand by the people in the state.

He added that the buffer stock is also expected not only to overcome the shortage of fish supply but also to stabilise fish prices, which usually rise sharply during the monsoon season.

“People can also enjoy fish that is guaranteed to be of quality as well as fresh, and will be sold 20 per cent cheaper than the market price. For example, the highest selling price is ikan termenung, at RM8 per kilogramme,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency