GEORGE TOWN: Something is brewing in the seas off the northern region where three unusual incidents have occurred.
In Penang, there were more sightings of red tide patches by residents in Tanjung Bungah. Occupants of high-rise buildings there have shared photos of the sea with the red patches online. An inshore fisherman had reported seeing them on Tuesday.
In Langkawi, sea cucumbers were being washed ashore at the beaches along Kuala Teriang and Kuala Muda.
Ombak Villa Langkawi sales and marketing manager Mohd Hafiz Ramli said hotel staffer found them on shore during a beach cleaning exercise over the last weekend.
“Sea cucumbers are usually found in the swampy areas but this time it is a little different because the gushing winds along with the strong waves could have swept these creatures onto the beach,” he said.
It was believed that hundreds of sea cucumbers were washed ashore.
Meanwhile in northern Perak, several aquaculture scheme operators have reported the deaths of marine life off the seas near Kuala Sipetang.
Penang state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh said up to 22 operators had incurred losses.
“Among the species were ikan merah, siakap, jehanak and bawal emas,“ Phee said at a press conference after the weekly state executive councillors’ meeting, here today.
“We suspect the recent strong winds which had caused huge damage inland. It could have impacted on the freshwater waterway links to the seas.”
The Department of Environment (DOE) and the Marine Department have been instructed to investigate the situation. Water samples have been collected in strategic areas off Penang for testing.
The results can only be known within one to two weeks, Phee said.
He said the Straits of Malacca could be experiencing the red tide which was usually confined to the South China Sea, off Sabah, as all waterways are connected.
