Negeri Sembilan fisheries department director Kasim Tawe said mussel farmers using mussel stake and cage systems in the waters stretching from Sungai Sekawang to Tanjung Teluk, Pasir Panjang, had also been allowed to resume collecting and harvesting mussels and other shellfish with immediate effect.

“Monitoring and test results on samples from the area have consistently shown readings of less than 800 ppb for nearly four consecutive weeks,” he told Bernama.

“Therefore, the shellfish are safe for consumption.”

Negeri Sembilan fisheries department issued a ban on Aug 15 prohibiting farmers and operators from collecting or harvesting shellfish in the waters off Port Dickson after mussel samples were found to contain biotoxin levels exceeding the 800 ppb limit.

Kasim previously said the ban would remain in force until monitoring was completed, during which the public was advised against consuming shellfish from the affected area to avoid the risk of food poisoning.

He added that members of the public who still had shellfish harvested during the prohibition period were advised to dispose of them.