Gelang Patah’s coastal fishermen have continued to work as usual amid the challenges resulting from the haze that began in late August.
Mohd Nasir Haron said this year’s situation was the worst he had experienced.
“Mid-September to mid-October period was the most challenging period as the air pollutant index (API) hit unhealthy levels,” he said when met at the Kampung Pendas Laut fishermen’s jetty in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
The jetty is the landing point for fishermen from nearby villages, and is where customers can buy their catch of crabs, prawns and mussels.
“Visibility at sea was poor. It was less than 200m instead of the usual 500m, between 6am and 7am, and from 6pm to 7pm,” said Nasir, 38, who has been a fisherman for 18 years.
Malaysia suffered transboundary haze crises in 2015, 2019 and 2023.
While fishermen are able to handle poor visibility at sea, their biggest worry is the weather.
“A sky covered in thick haze makes it difficult for fishermen to predict when thunderstorms or heavy rain will occur, because signs like dark clouds are not visible,” said Nasir.
Fellow fisherman Ibrahim Kassim said that apart from reduced visibility, the haze has led to watery eyes and a cough.
The 38-year-old said haze even blanketed Pulau Merambong and the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Bridge, which are normally visible.
“But it does not stop us from going to sea, because it is our sole livelihood,” he said.
Ibrahim, who has been a fisherman for over 20 years, said his yields have remained consistent.
Every day, he is at sea from 6.30am to noon.
The haze situation in Johor, including in Gelang Patah, is beginning to improve with the API now at a moderate level.
The fishermen said they were grateful the skies were clearing.
