Putting safety first: Johor fishing associations are cautioning members to take care when going out to sea as bad weather rages.
JOHOR BARU: Fishermen are taking precautions to protect themselves while out at sea during the monsoon season.
This includes avoiding fishing alone and not going too far beyond the shoreline, says Johor Southern Fishermen Association chairman Azli Mohd Aziz.
“Most importantly, we should not go out to the sea when it is stormy or when it is raining heavily.
“Fishermen should also not go fishing alone, especially during the monsoon season, as this could put them at higher risk of going missing,” he told The Star.
He added that they should also inform their family whenever they go out fishing.
“This is to ensure that there will be people looking for them in case they do not return,” Azli Mohd said.
Johor Fishermen’s Association chairman Datuk Mohamad Dolmat said they also have to keep abreast of the weather forecast.
“They have to constantly monitor weather conditions and forecasts before deciding whether they should go fishing.
“This is crucial as going out to the sea during bad weather is very dangerous. They could lose their lives.
“Unfortunately, this also means their income is affected as the more they stay on land, the less sea products they get to sell,” he said.
Fishermen Jefree Salim, 40, said he could only go out to the sea two or three times a week lately due to the bad weather.
“It has been raining very frequently these days and for my own safety, I will not go out to the sea on those days.
“On days that I do go fishing, I will go with at least one or two other fishermen and will aim to be home by around noon,” he said, adding that his income has been affected.
