PORT KLANG: The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) has assured there would be sufficient fish supply in the market for the public.
This is despite the information received from local fishermen that the hot spell in the past three months had stunted the growth of fish at the Malacca Straits and led to reduced fish stock.
Its chairman Datuk Irmohizam Ibrahim said fishing activities in Sabah and Sarawak waters were stable and would make up for the drop in supply from the Malacca Straits.
"People should not worry about inadequate supply as the situation is under control. I have also asked the National Fisherman's Association (Nekmat) to prepare frozen fish stock to be sold in farmer's market if there is a need.
"LKIM, Nekmat and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) will take proactive steps to ensure the fish supply is controlled especially for farmer's markets as well as fishermen's market in the country," said Irmohizam.
Meanwhile, Irmohizam, who is also Kuala Selangor MP, had also asked that the federal government set up more MyFarm Outlets which sell agricultural produce directly to consumers at lower prices.
"I hope for more MyFarm Outlets in Selangor because there is a demand for it from the middle-class people as well as the younger generation who want to buy wet food at cheaper prices.
With the rapid growing population in the Klang Valley, I deem it right for MyFarm Outlets to exist here,too.
"At the same time, this will benefit local fishermen as they could sell their catch directly to consumers.
There should be one in Kuala Selangor which is the heart of fishing activities for the state and an agro-tourism platform, too," he said.
The first of the 11 MyFarm Outlet shops was opened in Putrajaya on March 1.
It sells produce such as fish, poultry, meat, vegetable and fruits at between five and 20 per cent below market prices.