Public warned not to eat seafood from bauxite-contaminated waters off Pahang

Pahang Fisheries Department director Adnan Hussain has warned the public not to consume seafood obtained from bauxite-contaminated waters off Pahang.

He said this was because water samples had been taken from the affected areas for laboratory analyses to determine the safety of the marine products.

"The results of the tests are expected to be known within two weeks. Meanwhile, we advise the public not to eat molluscs (from these areas)," he said.

Adnan also advised against fishing activities which he said were not suitable in these areas due to the current high level of turbidity.

He said previous tests carried out by the fisheries department on the mineral content, following the murky shade of red in the rivers and sea found that the level was not high.

Meanwhile, Pahang Department of Environment deputy-director, Zainal Abidin Abdullah said the red water of the rivers and sea were due to land-clearing activities leading to water run-off after the recent heavy rains.

He said the situation was worsened when the surface water flow was contaminated with bauxite on the roads which had spilled off while being transported.

"The increased water flow during the heavy rains also caused silting in the turbulent river waters, mixed with bauxite from the water run-off.

"All these elements then flow into the rivers before going into the sea, and the large quantity causes the red river and sea phenomenon," he told Bernama when contacted.

For instance, Zainal Abidin said, land clearing in Bukit Goh would affect Sungai Kuantan, while that in the Beserah area would affect Sungai Balok, and Sungai Karang.