Q’Fish to overcome fish shortage problem

KUALA LUMPUR: In a bid to overcome the shortage of fish supply which has caused a steep rise in the price of fish nationwide, the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia ( LKIM) has activated the distribution of Q’Fish or the stock of frozen fish.

LKIM chairman Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim said the Q’Fish is an initiative to ensure that an abundant, consistent and affordable stock of fish would be available at all time.

The ‘Q’ Fish is a rebranding of the LKIM’s ‘Ikan Rakyat’ programme, which was introduced in 2013, he told Bernama here yesterday. He said the initiative was carried out with the cooperation from the National Fishermen’s Association ( Nekmat), as well as state and district fishermen associations, to meet the high demands of fish.

“The programme offers a diverse selection of Q’Fish such as mackerel, hard tail scads, tilapia and catfish, besides shrimps and squid, with prices that are cheaper by 40 to 50 per cent from the usual market,” he said.

Irmohizam said the shortage of fish was caused by the current northeast monsoon season and the strong northeasterly winds in the east coast and northern states, which occurs between November and March.

“Within that period, less fishing boats would go to sea due to the unpredictable and hazardous weather conditions. As a result, less catch,” he said.

Other measures carried out by LKIM were importing fish and implementing export restrictions on local fish. According to Irmohizam, about 300 tonnes of fresh fish were imported by Nekmat and local importers between November 2016 and February this year. — Bernama