JAS investigates mass fish deaths in Sungah Tekai, Kedah, with samples taken for analysis and a warning against using tuba root or fish bombs
ALOR SETAR: The Department of Environment (JAS) is investigating a mass fish death incident in Sungai Tekai near Pekan Naka, Padang Terap.
JAS Kedah director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said the department received a complaint about the incident at 6.05 pm last Tuesday.
Initial investigations by JAS officers at the location found carcasses of various freshwater fish species including lampam, baung, patung and tembakang.
Based on initial information from local residents, the incident was first detected around 5 pm last Monday.
The investigation team conducted in-situ measurements at the location where the fish carcasses were found.
Four bottles of river water samples were taken to be sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis.
Sharifah Zakiah said JAS also received information from the public suspecting the fish deaths were due to the use of tuba root.
She advised those with information to make a police report.
“The public is advised not to use tuba or fish bombs for the purpose of catching fish in river areas,” she said.
