SEREMBAN: Analysis on the second sample of mussels and water taken from Port Dickson still shows that it still contains biotoxins that are above the safe limit.

       The analysis was carried out by the Kuala Lumpur Fisheries Biosecurity Centre laboratory.

       Negri Sembilan Fisheries Department director Kasim Tawe said, levels of 800 parts per billion (ppb) on the second sample were lower than the first sample but are still not safe for consumption.

       "We need three tests to determine if we should continue or stop the ban on collecting and selling mussels from the area.

       "A third sample was taken on Monday and results are expected this Friday (April 19).

       "So mussels from the area are still not safe to eat and the ban on selling them is still in place," he told Bernama here on Monday.

       He said the presence of biotoxins in the waters occurs naturally and is likely to be accelerated by weather changes or the nutrient content of the seawater.

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       On April 4, department deputy director-general (management) Wan Aznan Abdullah said that laboratory analysis at the Kuala Lumpur Fisheries Biosecurity Centre found that there was contamination from harmful algae in mussels from Port Dickson waters.

       He said water samples and mussels were contaminated biotoxins and dangerous algae species Prorocentrum, Alexandrium and Pseudonitzschia. – Bernama