Terengganu: The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) of Terengganu is conducting patrols at 21 popular beach locations that are at risk of erosion. Its director, Nor Mahathir Muhammad, said this is to ensure the public does not gather or engage in recreational activities that could endanger their safety. He highlighted that the affected locations include the districts of Kuala Nerus, Kemaman, Besut, Marang, Kuala Terengganu, Dungun, and Setiu.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nor Mahathir noted that eight fire stations are involved in these patrol duties. Each team comprises eight personnel working in three shifts daily, following the expected high tides and waves exceeding three meters until Jan 19 (Sunday). He advised the public to avoid severely eroded beach areas, which pose a danger during the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) season. Despite warnings, some people have been seen at the beaches, even collecting cockles at Pantai Sura in Dungun, risking safety amid winds reaching up to 60 km/h and waves as high as 3.5 meters.

Meanwhile, Terengganu State Fisheries Department director Ruzaidi Mamat reminded the public to comply with food safety practices, ensuring all cockles are properly cooked before consumption. He mentioned that the Kuantan Fisheries Biosecurity Laboratory in Pahang is conducting bacterial analysis on cockle samples collected at Pantai Sura, with results expected soon. Previous studies indicated that Fecal coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) levels in cockle samples exceeded standards, classifying them as Class B, which requires thorough cooking.

Ruzaidi also noted the presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria in past samples, common in marine environments. However, he confirmed that no plankton producing biotoxins was detected in water samples from Pantai Sura on the day of sampling.