Numerous cages and ponds in the Temerloh, Jerantut, Bentong, Lipis, Maran and Pekan districts have been destroyed by the floods.

Pahang fisheries department director Abdullah Jaafar expected losses to increase as several districts are still inundated.

“The department expects the actual amount of losses to be higher after reports and assessments are made when the floodwaters recede completely,” he said in a Berita Harian report.

“I hope the aquaculture farmers and inland fishermen will report their losses due to the floods,” he said.

He said many fish cages along the Sungai Pahang were destroyed by strong water currents and fallen trees.

He said his department will carry out a review of the losses before submitting the information to the agriculture and food industries ministry for them to consider assistance under the Agricultural Disaster Fund (TBP).

He said there were 1,700 aquaculture farmers registered in the state as of last year. There were also 380 inland fishermen.

Pahang’s aquaculture industry was valued at RM246 million last year while its river fisheries sector was valued at RM11.5 million.