Fresh off the boat: Farmed fish being sold at the Sungai Udang fishermen jetty in Nibong Tebal. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
NIBONG TEBAL: The monsoon that brought heavy rain and large volumes of water into rivers like Sungai Kerian has turned out to be a blessing for fish farmers in Sungai Udang here.
The annual surge of freshwater has benefitted about 120 farm owners who use cages outside the estuary.
Sungai Udang Fish Farm Association chairman Tioh Tiang Lai said the river functions like a natural flushing system that gives the seabed under the farms a yearly cleanse.
“Our farms are between 4m and 8m-deep and we have millions of fish growing in them.
“Their food waste and faecal matter often fall through the nets and foul up the bottom. The rapid freshwater currents after heavy rain help refresh and circulate the water.
“The clean water and nutrients that flow out help our fish thrive and we see clear improvements in their health after each monsoon,” he said.
Tioh, who operates 140 cages, said fishermen have been working in the area for over a century.
The third-generation fisherman, who has farmed for more than 20 years, however voiced concern over pollution from industrial discharge and leachate from the Pulau Burung landfill.
“Heavy rain means drains in the Batu Kawan industrial area overflow and the landfill also overflows during downpours.
“These man-made pollutants harm our fish and the wider marine ecosystem,” he added.
In 2018, there were 180 operators but the number has dropped to 120 due to major losses.
“In 2017, many farms suffered a heavy blow when their fish was wiped out, believed to be caused by polluted water.
“My fry survival rate used to be about 50% before industries bloomed, but now it is only 25% to 40%,” he said.
Meanwhile, fishermen were seen lining up in their boats to land their catch at the jetty.
They included snapper, grouper and pomfret along with prawns and crabs.
Ong Chee Huat, 58, said he has been enjoying abundant harvests towards the end of each year.
“During this period, the water quality improves a lot and we can see the effect almost immediately.
“The mussels grow well and we bring them in by the basket. We sell them for only RM5 per kilo,” he said.
