Bountiful harvest during monsoon

A factory worker in Pulau Bruit sorting the red jellyfish for sale.

SIBU: Although most fishermen would be wary of the monsoon season with its heavy rain and strong winds, those in Pulau Bruit welcome it.

This is because it provides the best conditions for them to catch red jellyfish.

Jemail Bedihi said a group of about 20 full-time fishermen from the island, located about five hours away from here, go out to sea at 4am to catch jellyfish.

“The jellyfish season is in March, July, September and November when the sea is rough.

Jemail added that they would usually be able to net between 80kg and 100kg of jellyfish each day using a net.

When they return to shore, they immediately head to a factory nearby to sell their catch for between RM10 and RM18 per kilo.

Larger jellyfish are sold for RM10 each while smaller ones cost RM3.

At the factory in Pulau Bruit and Kampung Bertanak, workers clean the jellyfish, weigh and pack them according to different categories for sale in towns like Sibu for RM25 to RM30 per kilo.

“It is also exported to countries like Japan, Singapore and China,” he said.

The workers have to be very careful when handling the jellyfish.

“Even though they are dead, the jellyfish can still cause itchiness and need to be cleaned carefully,” he said. — ANDY CHUA