PETALING JAYA: Climate change is impacting catches and extreme weather changes are endangering the lives of fishermen, according to a group.
Pahang Deep Sea Association chairman Mohd Yusery Mohd Yusoff said with the sea heating up, fishermen were experiencing 40% less catch.
“This year’s hot spell began in February, and catches have gradually decreased. Fish are like humans who seek shade in the hot weather,” he pointed out.
He said once caught by local fishermen, the Humpback grouper (Kerapu tikus) was no longer seen in the same waters.
Yusery said the amount of fish caught these days was also significantly less.
“For example, fisherman used to catch up to 500kg of ikan kembong (Indian mackerel). Now it is nowhere near there,” he added.
He said the wholesale price of ikan tongkol was at RM8 per kg, ikan selayang (RM10) and ikan kembong (RM18), with consumers paying an additional RM4 to RM5 at the markets.
Yusery said the increased costs of going out to sea had also contributed to higher prices, adding that C2-type deep-sea fishing boats had diesel subsidies withdrawn by the government.
Such boats are usually operated by a crew of more than 10 and go beyond 30 nautical miles from shore, he added.
Yusery said without the subsidy, the price of diesel fuel had risen from RM1.80 per litre to RM4.80 to RM5.
Malaysia Fish Industries General Association president Chia Tian Hee said climate change posed a threat to fishermen, with sudden storms at sea sinking fishing boats.
“Two fishing boats sunk over the last two to three months. Many fishing boats are upgrading their radars to detect weather patterns,” he said.
He said although fishing boats were robust, the recent unexpected weather and big storms had resulted in significant losses for fishermen.
Kuala Lumpur Hoi Seong Fish Wholesalers Association president Sing Kian Hock said local seafood production had fallen annually in recent years.
In Kuala Lumpur, the seafood supply was 40% local with the rest imported.
He said with more fish imports, prices increased and with the ringgit’s depreciation, imported seafood had become more expensive.
