Despite environmental concerns, the state governments will allow the development of the Penang Aquaculture Industrial Zone (ZIA) at the thriving mangrove forest in Penaga, Kepala Batas.

However, Penang environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said measures to mitigate pollution, which could harm the forest's ecology, will be be among conditions which must be implemented under the new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).