State executive councillor Dr Akmal Saleh said the ban on harvesting and selling shellfish, including mussels, was lifted earlier last month after a decline in biotoxin levels to safe thresholds.

The campaign will be carried out gradually at farmers’ markets and other locations across the state.

“These mussels are sourced from Melaka waters, specifically from Sebatu, and are commonly known as ‘sweet mussels.’ The cockles are also part of a programme we run with local fishermen,” said Akmal.

“Studies have shown that mussels from this area are the tastiest and sweetest, and prior to the biotoxin contamination issue, demand for these aquaculture products was very high,” he told reporters at the Merlimau farmers’ market today after opening a mussel and clam promotion event by the fisheries department.