KUANTAN, Jan 5 — Residents of Kampung Seberang Balok Makmur were shocked with the discovery of hundreds of dead mullets in Sungai Balok Makmur and Sungai Tonggak here today.
A restaurant operator at the village, Khairul Azmi Yahya, 30, said he realised the odd occurrence where hundreds of fish were found floating on the river and stranded on the banks at 7am, when he was about to open shop.
“It was strange because there were many white objects floating in the river and when I went closer, I realised they were actually mullets. I wondered why only mullets were turning up dead, as the fish is known to be highly resistant,” he told Bernama when met here today.
Khairul Azmi added that many residents who were on their way to stopped by to watch and take pictures of the occurrence.
He said, however, the number of fish (being washed up the bank) had declined in the afternoon as they were drifted away by the currents.
“I hope the cause of death of these fish can be informed to the people here, because there are some industries around the river. It is worrying as there could be chemicals that may be harmful to health or to children who play in the water here,” he said.
Meanwhile, another restaurant operator Rafizah Abdul Rahman, 25, hoped all the fish would be swept away by high tides this evening, as she feared the stench of dead fish may affect her customers or residents in the village.
Meanwhile, Pahang Fisheries director Adnan Hussain when contacted confirmed the department had received a report on the death of the fish and they had collected samples to determine the cause of the incident.
“We have taken water samples and tested certain parameters such as the rate of dissolved oxygen, turbidity levels and the pH of the water in the area,” he said. — Bernama
