CONSUMERS in the Klang Valley, spooked by negative social media postings on Japan’s release of wastewater from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant and the emergence of pink algae bloom off Penang, are avoiding seafood, causing sales at the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market to nosedive by 10%.

Kuala Lumpur Hoi Seong Fish Wholesalers Association chairman Sing Kian Hock attributed disinformation spread by social media users for the predicament.

He said no Japanese seafood is sold at the market.

Scientists have also confirmed the Penang “red tide” is non-toxic and will not kill marine life that comes into contact with it.

“Those postings, linked to what’s happening in Japan and Penang, are what caused sales at the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market to drop the past week,” Sing told The Malaysian Insight.

He also questioned why consumers accept what they read at face value.

“Seafood imported from Japan such as spider crabs, king crabs and scallops are usually imported directly by Japanese restaurants in the country.

“We do not sell those items in our markets here,” he said.

Sing also criticised Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang over the government’s refusal to state the origin of imported seafood and fish products.

He said indicating the origin of imported seafood would help allay some of the fears consumers have.

“Seafood from Japan, China, India and Myanmar should be labeled so that people who have concerns are given an alternative with seafood from other countries.

“Seafood caught locally is not a problem. It is safe to be consumed.”

To counter the disinformation on social media, Sing said the association will go on a drive to educate consumers on the actual events in Japan and Penang.

On August 29, thousands of dead fish were found off Teluk Bahang in Penang, sparking concerns.

It is understood that the dead marine life included groupers, stingrays, catfish, mackerel, crabs, yellowtail scad (ikan selar) and golden threadfin bream (ikan kerisi).

Annette Jaya Ram, deputy director of the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies at Universiti Malaya, was reported as saying frequent weather changes was the cause of the pink algae bloom.

She said the algae is non-toxic but fish do not like their high ammonia odour, so they swim deeper ashore to avoid the bloom.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, however, requested the state’s environmental and fisheries agencies to investigate the phenomena and submit a report to the state government.

Consumer concerns have also forced the food industry in Penang to take action to avoid suffering losses.

Vinah Yee Yook Chee, chairman of the Koo Soo Kwong Choon Tong Restaurant and Tea-house Association in Penang, said although the bloom does not bring any negative effect, some restaurants plan to promote meat menus and cut back on seafood.

She said with what is happening in Japan and Penang, now is a good time to accelerate the development of the country’s aquaculture industry.

Johor Kitchen Association president Ang Swee Kiong said restaurants have always indicated the source of its seafood, allaying whatever fears customers might have.

“We always say our salmon is from Norway, lobsters and king crabs from the United States or Canada.

“These countries are far from Japan and that should put customers at ease.”

Unlike Yee, Ang said he does not believe restaurants are going to stop promoting seafood.

“After all, a seafood meal is indispensable at some dinner tables.”

Earlier, after discussions on Japan’s plan to dilute and discharge nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea, the Japanese government decided to officially release the treated wastewater from August 24, as long as weather and sea conditions permitted it.

According to NHK and Asahi Shimbun, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that the government had obtained the understanding of fishing industry groups, and both sides reached a consensus to officially release the treated wastewater from the plant into the sea.

In July, International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi led a delegation to visit the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to inspect the wastewater discharge plan and stated that if Japan executes the discharge operation as planned, it “complies with international safety standards”.

The storage volume for nuclear wastewater at the plant has reached 98% and it is estimated to reach full capacity between February and June 2024. – September 13, 2023.