By Zaki Salleh
Photos: Wat Kamal Abas
TAIPING: The shellfish farming industry in the state is facing risks due to the issue of being unable to renew temporary occupation licenses (TOL) for farming sites.
Delays in processing the TOL since 2019 have caused these operators to incur losses estimated at more than RM500,000 per month.
As a result, they have been forced to continue farming in areas that are still productive, from Tanjung Burung to Sungai Tiram Laut.
Currently, there are over 250 shellfish farmers in the Larut Matang district.
Chairman of the Kuala Sepetang Shellfish Farmers Association, Koay Seng Lam, said farmers have invested large amounts of money to buy local and foreign shellfish seeds.
Unfortunately, without approval, they face risks, and are uncertain about their future if changes occur.
“At the same time, farmers are also dealing with illegal shellfish collectors who encroach on farming areas.
“This issue becomes more complicated when illegal collectors, who are not registered with the association, claim that the shellfish we farm do not have TOL and that they have the right to take shellfish from our farms.
“They come without supervision, using boats from afternoon until night, stealing shellfish without any responsibility,” he said.
According to Seng Lam, if this issue is not resolved soon, it could lead to serious conflicts between farmers and collectors, which could threaten the safety and harmony of the local fishing community.
Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the MCA Youth in Perak, Neow Choo Seong, hopes the state government will review the existing mechanisms to assist businesses, especially in the Kuala Sepetang area.
Neow said this issue has been ongoing for years without resolution, and it is having a negative impact on operators and the industry.
“The state and federal governments need to take immediate action, because if not, this important shellfish industry, which is vital to the local community and the national economy, will suffer greatly,” he said.
