A check by Bernama at Kampung Tebengau market in Kuala Kedah found that some fish dealers were however still doing business despite the high price and small profit margin.

Fish dealer Zulkifli Azizan, 51, when talking about the price increase of kembong to RM12 per kg from RM6 previously, told Bernama, “This is because we bought kembong at a wholesale price of between RM8 to RM10 per kilogramme. We have to raise the selling price to make a profit.”

Kembong is one of the cheapest fish in the market.

Zulkifli said they used to get more than 100 kg of fish daily but this has dropped to between 50-70 kg due to lack of supply.

Dealer, Basir Man, 55, said that due to the weather, fishermen were now forced to catch other marine products such as squid and shrimp.

“Most of the fishermen have turned to catching squid at night in an effort to make more income,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shafie Abdul Wahab, 55, urged the Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) or the Fisheries Department to provide cold rooms at jetties to keep the excess fish as stock.

“This stock of fish can be released into the market when there is a shortage of fish supply as is the case now,” he added.