Sim Bak Heng, New Straits Times 6 Aug 09;
JOHOR BARU: Residents of Kampung Teluk Jawa woke up to a sickening stench yesterday. More than 100 tonnes of fish being farmed in cages in Sungai Teluk Jawa went belly-up in what was described as one of the worst environmental disasters in the country in recent years.
The Department of Environment, which collected samples for analysis by the Chemistry Department, has not ruled out water pollution as a cause.
Eight breeders said their losses could run up to RM3 million, as most of the fish had reached marketable size of about 10kg each.
They were farming the premium giant grouper and tiger grouper, mainly for export to Taiwan, China and Singapore where they could fetch up to RM50 per kg, and sea bass, mackerel and red snapper.
Breeder Wong Chan In said the river water had turned brownish last Sunday and that some dead fish were found in the cages.
"On Monday and Tuesday, more dead fish were found but yesterday was the worst. Almost 90 per cent were dead."
The fish farms were set up about three years ago.
DOE Operations Division chief Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the high death toll could have been caused by water pollution, a depletion of dissolved oxygen or uncontrolled development in nearby areas.
"We should have the results of the analysis in a week."
The village is one of the state's most popular seafood spots among locals and Singaporeans.
Johor Jaya state assemblyman Tan Cher Puk urged the Fisheries Department to help the breeders as the problem could affect their business.
See also Mass death at Johor fish farms: "worst environmental disaster in Malaysia"
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