Salimah showing the abundant harvest she managed to gather in just a single day. – Bernama
MELAKA: Popular recreational spot Pantai Klebang here has been a hotbed of activity as crowds descend in large numbers to gather cockles.
Social media is abuzz with posts highlighting the abundance of cockles, showing people wading into the mudflats to gather the shellfish.
People from all walks of life are drawn to the beach and the excitement is palpable as no one who ventures into the mudflats returns empty-handed.
Besides the thrill, the high price of cockles at RM10 to RM18 per kilogramme is giving locals added incentive to gather it for themselves.
Childcare provider, Roszana Johari, 29, from Batu Berendam, said she has visited the beach twice since Thursday to gather cockles.
"All the cockles we found are fresh and plump. We can make various dishes throughout the week, like sambal kerang and rendang kerang," she told Bernama on Saturday (Oct 18).
She added that on Saturday (Oct 18), she managed to collect over 2kg of cockles using just a small scoop.
Salimah Taib, 44, from Tanjung Minyak, said she has been gathering cockles with several family members for the past three days.
"The thrill of gathering cockles yourself is different from just buying them.
"Despite having to wade through the mud and getting our clothes dirty in the heat, we are grateful for such a good haul," she said.
Commenting on the phenomenon, Melaka Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management senior executive councillor Datuk Rais Yasin said that if the abundance of cockles persists, the state would explore potential promotional activities to develop it as a new tourist attraction.
Meanwhile, Melaka Fisheries Department director Saufi Affandi Talib said that there have been no reports of food poisoning from eating the cockles.
He added that although the cockles are believed to be safe for consumption, samples were taken for analysis on Friday.
He advised the public to ensure cockles are cooked thoroughly and cautioned against eating them raw.
He further cautioned the public to prioritise safety, highlighting the risks of navigating low tides and wading through deep mud.
"People must stay vigilant of the incoming tide," he said.
Meanwhile, the Melaka Fisheries Department said the abundance of cockles at Pantai Klebang is a result of a shellfish stock enhancement project in 2023, where two metric tonnes of cockle broodstock were released.
Its director Saufi Affandi Talibsaid this was conducted in cooperation with the state government to develop and strengthen fishery resources.
He said monitoring from Oct 15 recorded an estimated harvest of 22.5 tonnes of cockles.
"The broodstock was released on May 30, 2023, in Melaka waters. The released juveniles have since migrated and settled naturally in northern (around Klebang waters) and southern (around Merlimau waters) areas.
"The bay-like structure of the sea embankment at Pantai Klebang causes ocean currents to carry and concentrate these young cockles in that specific area," he said in a statement.
He said a study by the Pulau Sayak Fisheries Research Institute, showed north-flowing tides are responsible for moving young cockles from the release point to Klebang waters.
A follow-up study from Aug 10 to 13 further confirmed that the majority of samples collected in Klebang were natural cockles, meaning the young had settled and grown to adulthood in the same location.
Saufi Affandi added this remained unknown to the public and the population of cockles had increased annually, leading to the current abundance.
He said the area had developed into a natural cockle breeding ground.
He also noted that the cockles in this area had brighter-coloured shells colour compared to those from Johor waters, which are darker and more brownish.
Meanwhile, Kelebang assemblyman Datuk Lim Ban Hong, urged parents not to bring young children along to gather cockles and to be vigilant of incoming high tides.
"This is quite concerning as it involves a muddy area that can be hazardous," he said. – Bernama
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Lim (left) paid a visit to the beach to witness the "cockle phenomenon" for himself. – Bernama
