CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kadeer called on the fisheries department, the irrigation and drainage department, the environmental department, Penang Island City Council, and the southwest district office to conduct a thorough investigation and disclose their findings to the public.

In a statement today, Mohideen said a survey by CAP found that approximately three hectares of mangrove trees in Kuala Sungai Pinang and Kuala Sungai Bharu had died.

“CAP has been informed by the Penang forestry department that the death of the mangrove trees, of the api-api (Avicennia) species, is likely due to waste discharge from nearby shrimp farming ponds.

“Given that mangrove forests are crucial ecosystems for the breeding of various marine species, we are concerned that this situation will severely impact the livelihoods of about 500 coastal fishermen in the area if decisive action is not taken by the relevant authorities,” he said.

According to Mohideen, fishermen have reported declining catches of fish, crabs, and shrimp in recent years.

“They also face problems when casting their nets at sea due to interference from the debris of cut mangrove trees carried by currents, polluting the waters,” he said, adding that drainage systems around shrimp farms clogged by waste were exacerbating the problem.