KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Fisheries has confirmed that mussels in the waters of Port Dickson in Negri Sembilan are still unsafe for consumption.
This was based on the results of the fifth sample test on mussels taken from PD waters, which still show high levels of biotoxin content.
"On Apr 29 (yesterday), the Negri Sembilan Fisheries Office took the fifth sample for laboratory testing and the results still show high biotoxin content and are not safe for consumption," the department said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, the department said it was actively monitoring the situation on a weekly basis together with the Negri Sembilan Fishermen's Association.
Based on current observations at the site, he said fishermen and traders are complying with the directive to refrain from harvesting, collecting, and selling the seafood as issued by the department previously.
"Verification conducted from Apr 26 to 28 identified 81 affected farmers due to contaminated mussels caused by biotoxins.
"The department will continue monitoring by conducting periodic testing according to the standard operating procedures of the National Shellfish Sanitation Programme until biotoxin readings are within permissible limits and mussels are confirmed safe to eat."
